Arylsulfones and uses related thereto

ABSTRACT

Aryl sulfone compounds of formula I and II are described and have therapeutic utility, particularly in the treatment of diabetes, obesity and related conditions and disorders:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/105,583, which was filed on Apr. 14, 2005, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which claims priority from Provisional Application U.S. Application 60/563,251, which was filed on Apr. 14, 2004, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is generally directed to novel compounds, compositions, and the use of either in methods for modulating hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, such as 11β-HSD1, and for treating or preventing diseases associated with the modulation of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, such as diabetes and obesity. The methods comprise the administration, to a patient in need thereof, of a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound. Novel Aryl Sulfone Compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or prodrugs thereof are presented herein.

Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs) regulate the occupancy and activation of steroid hormone receptors by converting steroid hormones into their inactive metabolites. For a recent review, see Nobel et al., Eur. J. Biochem. 2001, 268:4113-4125.

There exist numerous classes of HSDs. The 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSDs) catalyze the interconversion of active glucocorticoids (such as cortisol and corticosterone), and their inert forms (such as cortisone and 11-dehydrocorticosterone). The isoform 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) is expressed in liver, adipose tissue, brain, lung and other glucocorticoid tissue and is a potential target for therapy directed at numerous disorders that may be ameliorated by reduction of glucocorticoid action, such as diabetes, obesity and age-related cognitive dysfunction. Seckl, et al., Endocrinology, 2001, 142:1371-1376.

It is well known that glucocorticoids play a central role in the development of diabetes and that glucocorticoids enable the effect of glucagon on the liver. Long et al., J. Exp. Med. 1936, 63: 465-490; and Houssay, Endocrinology 1942, 30: 884-892. In addition, it has been well substantiated that 11β-HSD1 plays an important role in the regulation of local glucocorticoid effect and of glucose production in the liver. Jamieson et al., J. Endocrinol. 2000, 165:685-692. In Walker, et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1995, 80:3155-3159, it was reported that the administration of the non-specific 11β-HSD1 inhibitor carbenoxolone resulted in improved hepatic insulin sensitivity in humans.

Furthermore, the hypothesized mechanism of action of HSDs in the treatment of diabetes has been supported by various experiments conducted in mice and rats. These studies showed that the mRNA levels and activities of two key enzymes in hepatic glucose production, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) were reduced upon administration of HSD inhibitors. In addition, blood glucose levels and hepatic glucose production were shown to be reduced in 11β-HSD1 knockout mice. Additional data gathered using this murine knockout model also confirm that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 will not cause hypoglycemia, since the basal levels of PEPCK and G6 Pase are regulated independently of glucocorticoids. Kotelevtsev et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 1997, 94: 14924-14929.

HSDs are also believed to play a role in obesity. Obesity is an important factor in Syndrome X as well as type II (non-insulin dependent) diabetes, and omental fat appears to be of central importance in the development of both of these disease, as abdominal obesity has been linked with glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and other factors of Syndrome X (e.g., raised blood pressure, decreased levels of HDL and increased levels of VLDL). Montague et al., Diabetes 2000, 49:883-888, 2000. It has also been reported that inhibition of the 11β-HSDs in pre-adipocytes (stromal cells) resulted in a decreased rate of differentiation into adipocytes. This is predicted to result in diminished expansion (possibly reduction) of the omental fat depot, which may lead to reduced central obesity. Bujalska et al., Lancet 1997, 349:1210-1213.

Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in mature adipocytes is expected to attenuate secretion of the plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), which is an independent cardiovascular risk factor, as reported in Halleux et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1999, 84:4097-4105. In addition, a correlation has been shown to exist between glucocorticoid activity and certain cardiovascular risk factors. This suggests that a reduction of the glucocorticoid effects would be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of certain cardiovascular diseases. Walker et al., Hypertension 1998, 31:891-895; and Fraser et al., Hypertension 1999, 33:1364-1368.

HSDs have also been implicated in the process of appetite control and therefore is believed to play an additional role in weight-related disorders. It is known that adrenalectomy attenuates the effect of fasting to increase both food intake and hypothalamic neuropeptide Y expression. This suggests that glucocorticoids play a role in promoting food intake and that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in the brain may increase satiety, thus resulting in a decreased food intake. Woods et al., Science 1998, 280:1378-1383.

Another possible therapeutic effect associated with modulation of HSDs is that which is related to various pancreatic aliments. It is reported that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in murine pancreatic β-cells results in increased insulin secretion. Davani et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2000, 275:34841-34844. This follows from the preceding discovery that glucocorticoids were previously found to be responsible for reduced pancreatic insulin release in vivo, Billaudel et al., Horm. Metab. Res. 1979, 11:555-560. Thus, it is suggested that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 would yield other beneficial effects in the treatment of diabetes other than the predicted effects on the liver and fat reduction.

11β-HSD1 also regulates glucocorticoid activity in the brain and thus contributes to neurotoxicity. Rajan et al., Neuroscience 1996, 16:65-70; and Seckl et al., Neuroendocrinol. 2000, 18:49-99. Stress and/or glucocorticoids are known to influence cognitive function (de Quervain et al., Nature 1998, 394:787-790), and unpublished results indicate significant memory improvement in rats treated with a non-specific 11β-HSD inhibitor. These reports, in addition to the known effects of glucocorticoids in the brain, suggest that inhibiting HSDs in the brain may have a positive therapeutic effect against anxiety and related conditions. Tronche et al., Nature Genetics 1999, 23:99-103. 11β-HSD1 reactivates 11-DHC to corticosterone in hippocampal cells and can potentiate kinase neurotoxicity, resulting in age-related learning impairments. Therefore, selective inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 are believed to protect against hippocampal function decline with age. Yau et al., Proc Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2001, 98:4716-4721. Thus, it has been hypothesized that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in the human brain would protect against deleterious glucocorticoid-mediated effects on neuronal function, such as cognitive impairment, depression, and increased appetite.

HSDs are believed to play a role in immunomodulation based on the general perception that glucocorticoids suppress the immune system. There is known to be a dynamic interaction between the immune system and the HPA (hypothalamopituitary-adrenal) axis (Rook, Baillier's Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 2000, 13: 576-581), and glucocorticoids help balance between cell-mediated responses and humoral responses. Increased glucocorticoid activity, which may be induced by stress, is associated with a humoral response and as such, the inhibition of 11β-HSD1 may result in shifting the response towards a cell-based reaction. In certain disease states, such as tuberculosis, leprosy, and psoriasis, the immune reaction is typically biased towards a humoral response when a cell-based response might be more appropriate. Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 is being studied for use to direct a cell-based response in these instances. Mason, Immunology Today 1991, 12:57-60. It follows then, that an alternative utility of 11β-HSD1 inhibition would be to bolster a temporal immune response in association with immunization to ensure that a cell based response would be obtained.

Recent reports suggest that the levels of glucocorticoid target receptors and of HSDs are connected with the risks of developing glaucoma. Stokes et al., Invest. Opthalmol. 2000, 41:1629-1638. Further, a connection between inhibition of 11β-HSD1 and a lowering of the intraocular pressure was reported. Walker et al., poster P3-698 at the Endocrine society meeting Jun. 12-15, 1999, San Diego. It was shown that administration of the nonspecific 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, carbenoxolone, resulted in the reduction of the intraocular pressure by 20% in normal patients. In the eye, 11β-HSD1 is expressed exclusively in the basal cells of the corneal epithelium, the non-pigmented epithelialium of the cornea (the site of aqueous production), ciliary muscle, and the sphincter and dilator muscles of the iris. In contrast, the distant isoenzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (“11β-HSD2”) is highly expressed in the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium and corneal endothelium. No HSDs have been found at the trabecular meshwork, which is the site of drainage. Therefore, 11β-HSD1 is suggested to have a role in aqueous production.

Glucocorticoids also play an essential role in skeletal development and function but are detrimental to such development and function when present in excess. Glucocorticoid-induced bone loss is partially derived from suppression of osteoblast proliferation and collagen synthesis, as reported in Kim et al., J. Endocrinol 1999, 162:371 379. It has been reported that the detrimental effects of glucocorticoids on bone nodule formation can be lessened by administration of carbenoxolone, which is a non-specific 11β-HSD1 inhibitor. Bellows et al., Bone 1998, 23:119-125. Additional reports suggest that 11β-HSD1 may be responsible for providing increased levels of active glucocorticoid in osteoclasts, and thus in augmenting bone resorption. Cooper et al., Bone 2000, 27:375-381. This data suggests that inhibition of 11β-HSD1 may have beneficial effects against osteoporosis via one or more mechanisms which may act in parallel.

It is known that bile acids inhibit 11β-HSD2 and that such inhibition results in a shift in the cortisol/cortisone equilibrium in the favor of cortisol. Quattropani et al., J. Clin. Invest. November 2001, 108:1299-305. A reduction in the hepatic activity of 11β-HSD2 is therefore predicted to reverse the cortisol/cortisone equilibrium to favor cortisone, which could provide therapeutic benefit in diseases such as hypertension.

The various isozymes of the 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17β-HSDs) bind to androgen receptors or estrogen receptors and catalyze the interconversion of various sex hormones including estradiol/estrone and testosterone/androstenedione. To date, six isozymes have been identified in humans and are expressed in various human tissues including endometrial tissue, breast tissue, colon tissue, and in the testes. 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (17β-HSD2) is expressed in human endometrium and its activity has been reported to be linked to cervical cancer. Kitawaki et al., J. Clin. Endocrin. Metab., 2000, 85:1371-3292-3296. 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (17β-HSD3) is expressed in the testes and its modulation may be useful for the treatment of androgen-related disorders.

Androgens and estrogens are active in their 17β-hydroxy configurations, whereas their 17-keto derivatives do not bind to androgen and estrogen receptors and are thus inactive. The conversion between the active and inactive forms (estradiol/estrone and testosterone/androstenedione) of sex hormones is catalyzed by members of the 17β-HSD family. 17β-HSD1 catalyzes the formation of estradiol in breast tissue, which is important for the growth of malignant breast tumors. Labrie et al., Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 1991, 78:C113-C118. A similar role has been suggested for 17β-HSD4 in colon cancer. English et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 1999, 84:2080-2085. 17β-HSD3 is almost exclusively expressed in the testes and converts androstenedione into testosterone. Deficiency of this enzyme during fetal development leads to male pseudohermaphroditism. Geissler et al., Nat. Genet. 1994, 7:34-39. Both 17β-HSD3 and various 3α-HSD isozymes are involved in complex metabolic pathways which lead to androgen shuffles between inactive and active forms. Penning et al., Biochem. J. 2000, 351:67-77. Thus, modulation of certain HSDs can have potentially beneficial effects in the treatment of androgen- and estrogen-related disorders.

The 20-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (20α-HSDs) catalyze the interconversion of progestins (such as between progesterone and 20α-hydroxy progesterone). Other substrates for 20α-HSDs include 17α-hydroxypregnenolone or 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, leading to 20α-OH steroids. Several 20α-HSD isoforms have been identified and 20α-HSDs are expressed in various tissues, including the placenta, ovaries, testes and adrenals. Peltoketo, et al., J. Mol. Endocrinol. 1999, 23: 1-11.

The 3-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3α-HSDs) catalyze the interconversion of the androgens dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol and the interconversion of the androgens DHEA and androstenedione and therefore play an important role in androgen metabolism. Ge et al., Biology of Reproduction 1999, 60:855-860.

International Publications Nos. WO 01/90090, WO 01/90091, WO 01/90092, and WO 03/044009 disclose aryl sulfonamides and their use as 11β-HSD1 modulators.

Despite the previous research done in the field of HSD inhibition, there remains a need for novel compounds that are potent inhibitors of the various families of HSDs and efficacious for the treatment of HSD-mediated conditions such as diabetes, obesity, glaucoma, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, immune disorders, depression, hypertension, and others.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In brief, the present invention relates to novel compounds, compositions thereof and methods for modulating the activity of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (HSDs), such as 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, including all isoforms thereof, including but not limited to 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (hereinafter “11β-HSD1”), 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (hereinafter “11β-HSD2”), and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 (hereinafter “17β-HSD3”). In a preferred embodiment, the components of the invention inhibit HSD activity.

The present invention also relates to methods for treating or preventing diseases or disorders associated with the action of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, stereoisomer, or prodrug thereof. The invention encompasses both selective and non-selective inhibitors of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases.

It should be understood that selective and non-selective inhibitors of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases each have benefits in the treatment or prevention of diseases associated with, for example, abnormal glucose levels or hypothalmic function. The invention also encompasses selective inhibitors of HSDs. Two types of selectivity are contemplated, that with respect to selectivity for HSDs as a class over other types of receptors or gene targets related to glucose metabolism, or those which are selective for various HSDs or specific isoforms thereof compared to other HSDs or specific isoforms thereof.

In one embodiment, the Aryl Sulfone Compounds can act as selective or non-selective 11β-HSD inhibitors. The compounds may inhibit the interconversion of inactive 11-keto steroids with their active hydroxy equivalents. The present invention provides methods by which the conversion of the inactive to the active form may be controlled, and to useful therapeutic effects which may be obtained as a result of such control. More specifically, but not exclusively, the invention is concerned with interconversion between cortisone and cortisol in humans.

In another embodiment, the Aryl Sulfone Compounds can act as 11β-HSD inhibitors in vivo.

In another embodiment, the Aryl Sulfone Compounds of the present invention may be orally active.

The Aryl Sulfone Compounds are also useful for modulation of numerous metabolic functions including, but not limited to, one or more of: (i) regulation of carbohydrate metabolism, (ii) regulation of protein metabolism, (iii) regulation of lipid metabolism, (iv) regulation of normal growth and/or development, (v) influence on cognitive function, (vi) resistance to stress and mineralocorticoid activity.

The Aryl Sulfone Compounds may also be useful for inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis, and may also be effective to relieve the effects of endogenous glucocorticoids in diabetes mellitus, obesity (including entripetal obesity), neuronal loss and/or the cognitive impairment of old age. Thus, in a further aspect, the invention provides the use of an inhibitor of HSDs in methods directed to producing one or more therapeutic effects in a patient to whom the Aryl Sulfone Compound is administered, said therapeutic effects selected from inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis, an increase in insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue and muscle, and the prevention of or reduction in neuronal loss/cognitive impairment due to glucocorticoid-potentiated neurotoxicity or neural dysfunction or damage.

The invention further provides methods for treating a condition selected from the group consisting of: hepatic insulin resistance, adipose tissue insulin resistance, muscle insulin resistance, neuronal loss or dysfunction due to glucocorticoid potentiated neurotoxicity, and any combination of the aforementioned conditions, the methods comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound.

The Aryl Sulfone Compounds of the invention include compounds having Formula (I) and Formula (II):

or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or prodrugs thereof, wherein R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹¹, R¹², R¹³, R¹⁴, R¹⁵, A and the subscript n are as defined below.

R¹ is a member selected from the group consisting of —OH, halogen and (C₁-C₈) haloalkyl;

R² and R³ are members independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl and (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, wherein no more than two of R¹, R² and R³ are halogen;

R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are each members independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂, —NR′C(O)R′, —X—C(O)R′, —X—C(O)OR′, —X—NR′C(O)OR″, —X—OR″, —X—OC(O)R′, —X—C(O)N(R′)₂, —X—S(O)R″, —X—SO₂R″, —X—SO₂N(R′)₂, —X—N(R′)₂ and —X—NR′C(O)R′; and optionally two of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ when attached to adjacent carbon atoms are combined to form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring optionally having from one to three heteroatoms as ring members, and

any fused ring portion, cycloalkyl portion, heterocycloalkyl portion, aryl or heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from one to four members selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR′, —SR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′;

wherein X is a branched or straight chain (C₁-C₈)alkylene group;

each occurrence of R′ is independently H or an unsubstituted member selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, or two R′ groups, when attached to the same nitrogen atom, can be combined with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form a heterocycle or heteroaryl group;

each occurrence of R″ is independently an unsubstituted member selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl or aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl; and

R⁹ is H or halogen.

A is a 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocyclic ring having from 1 to 4 heteroatoms as ring members, said heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of O, S and N; wherein said heterocyclic ring is aromatic or non-aromatic.

The symbol R¹¹ is a member selected from —OH, halogen, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy and (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl. The symbols R¹² and R¹³ represent members independently selected from halogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl and (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, wherein no more than two of R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are halogen. The symbol R¹⁴ represents H or halogen.

The subscript n is an integer of from 0 to 4; and each R¹⁵ is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂, —NR′C(O)R′, —X—C(O)R′, —X—C(O)OR′, —X—NR′C(O)OR″, —X—OR″, —X—OC(O)R′, —X—C(O)N(R′)₂, —X—S(O)R″, —X—SO₂R″, —X—SO₂N(R′)₂, —X—N(R′)₂ and —X—NR′C(O)R′; and optionally two of R¹⁵ when attached to adjacent carbon atoms are combined to form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring optionally having from one to three heteroatoms as ring members, and wherein any fused ring portion, cycloalkyl portion, heterocycloalkyl portion, aryl or heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from one to four members selected from the group consisting of halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR′, —SR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′; and wherein X is a branched or straight chain (C₁-C₈)alkylene group.

In one aspect, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising an Aryl Sulfone Compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier, excipient or diluent.

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating insulin resistance comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating obesity comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for modulating cortisol production comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for modulating hepatic glucose production comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides methods for modulating hypothalamic function comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In one aspect, the invention provides methods for treating a hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-mediated condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides method for modulating the function of a hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in a cell comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for modulating a hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In still another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating an 11β-HSD1-mediated condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In yet another aspect, the invention provides method for modulating the function of 11β-HSD1 in a cell comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for modulating 11β-HSD1, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In one aspect, the invention provides methods for treating an 11β-HSD2-mediated condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides method for modulating the function of 11β-HSD2 in a cell comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for modulating 11β-HSD2, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In one aspect, the invention provides methods for treating an 17β-HSD3-mediated condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In another aspect, the invention provides method for modulating the function of 17β-HSD3 in a cell comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

In a further aspect, the invention provides methods for modulating 17β-HSD3, comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

These and other aspects of this invention will be evident upon reference to the following detailed description. To that end, certain patent and other documents are cited herein to more specifically set forth various aspects of this invention. Each of these documents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein, the terms have the following meanings:

The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched chain, saturated hydrocarbon having the indicated number of carbon atoms. For example, (C₁-C₆)alkyl is meant to include, but is not limited to methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl, and neohexyl. An alkyl group can be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described herein below.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched chain unsaturated hydrocarbon having the indicated number of carbon atoms and at least one double bond. Examples of a (C₂-C₈)alkenyl group include, but are not limited to, ethylene, propylene, 1-butylene, 2-butylene, isobutylene, sec-butylene, 1-pentene, 2-pentene, isopentene, 1-hexene, 2-hexene, 3-hexene, isohexene, 1-heptene, 2-heptene, 3-heptene, isoheptene, 1-octene, 2-octene, 3-octene, 4-octene, and isooctene. An alkenyl group can be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described herein below.

The term “alkynyl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched chain unsaturated hydrocarbon having the indicated number of carbon atoms and at least one triple bond. Examples of a (C₂-C₈)alkynyl group include, but are not limited to, acetylene, propyne, 1-butyne, 2-butyne, 1-pentyne, 2-pentyne, 1-hexyne, 2-hexyne, 3-hexyne, 1-heptyne, 2-heptyne, 3-heptyne, 1-octyne, 2-octyne, 3-octyne and 4-octyne. An alkynyl group can be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described herein below.

The term “alkylene” refers to a divalent alkyl group (e.g., an alkyl group attached to two other moieties, typically as a linking group). Examples of a (C₁-C₇)alkylene include —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, and —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—, as well as branched versions thereof. An alkylene group can be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described herein below.

The term “alkoxy” as used herein refers to an —O-alkyl group having the indicated number of carbon atoms. For example, a (C₁-C₆)alkoxy group includes —O-methyl, —O-ethyl, —O-propyl, —O-isopropyl, —O-butyl, —O-sec-butyl, —O-tert-butyl, —O-pentyl, —O-isopentyl, —O-neopentyl, —O-hexyl, —O-isohexyl, and —O-neohexyl.

The term “aminoalkyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group (typically one to six carbon atoms) wherein from one or more of the C₁-C₆ alkyl group's hydrogen atoms is replaced with an amine of formula —N(R^(a))₂, wherein each occurrence of R^(a) is independently —H or (C₁-C₆)alkyl. Examples of aminoalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, —CH₂NH₂, —CH₂CH₂NH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂, —CH₂CH₂CH₂N(CH₃)₂, t-butylaminomethyl, isopropylaminomethyl and the like.

The term “aryl” as used herein refers to a 6- to 14-membered monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic aromatic hydrocarbon ring system. Examples of an aryl group include phenyl and naphthyl. An aryl group can be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described herein below.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein refers to a 3- to 14-membered saturated or unsaturated non-aromatic monocyclic, bicyclic or tricyclic hydrocarbon ring system. Included in this class are cycloalkyl groups which are fused to a benzene ring. Representative cycloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, 1,3-cyclohexadienyl, cycloheptyl, cycloheptenyl, 1,3-cycloheptadienyl, 1,4-cycloheptadienyl, 1,3,5-cycloheptatrienyl, cyclooctyl, cyclooctenyl, 1,3-cyclooctadienyl, 1,4-cyclooctadienyl, 1,3,5-cyclooctatrienyl, decahydronaphthalene, octahydronaphthalene, hexahydronaphthalene, octahydroindene, hexahydroindene, tetrahydroinden, decahydrobenzocycloheptene, octahydrobenzocycloheptene, hexahydrobenzocycloheptene, tetrahydrobenzocyclopheptene, dodecahydroheptalene, decahydroheptalene, octahydroheptalene, hexahydroheptalene, and tetrahydroheptalene. A cycloalkyl group can be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described herein below.

The term “halo” as used herein refers to —F, —Cl, —Br or —I.

The term “haloalkyl,” as used herein, refers to a C₁-C₆ alkyl group wherein from one or more of the C₁-C₆ alkyl group's hydrogen atom is replaced with a halogen atom, which can be the same or different. Examples of haloalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 4-chlorobutyl, 3-bromopropyl, pentachloroethyl, and 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-bromo-2-chloroethyl.

The term “heteroaryl” as used herein refers to an aromatic heterocycle ring of 5 to 14 members and having at least one heteroatom selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and containing at least 1 carbon atom, including monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems. Representative heteroaryls are triazolyl, tetrazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridyl, furyl, benzofuranyl, thiophenyl, benzothiophenyl, quinolinyl, pyrrolyl, indolyl, oxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, imidazolyl, benzimidazolyl, thiazolyl, benzothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, cinnolinyl, phthalazinyl, quinazolinyl, pyrimidyl, oxetanyl, azepinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, dioxanyl, thietanyl and oxazolyl. A heteroaryl group can be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described herein below.

As used herein, the term “heteroatom” is meant to include oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and sulfur (S).

As used herein, the term “heterocycle” or “heterocycloalkyl” as used herein refers to 5- to 14-membered ring systems which are either saturated, unsaturated, or aromatic, and which contains from 1 to 4 heteroatoms independently selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur, and wherein the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may be optionally oxidized, and the nitrogen heteroatom may be optionally quaternized, including, including monocyclic, bicyclic, and tricyclic ring systems. The bicyclic and tricyclic ring systems may encompass a heterocycle or heteroaryl fused to a benzene ring. The heterocycle may be attached via any heteroatom or carbon atom. Heterocycles include heteroaryls as defined above. Representative examples of heterocycles include, but are not limited to, aziridinyl, oxiranyl, thiiranyl, triazolyl, tetrazolyl, azirinyl, diaziridinyl, diazirinyl, oxaziridinyl, azetidinyl, azetidinonyl, oxetanyl, thietanyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolyl, oxazinyl, thiazinyl, diazinyl, triazinyl, tetrazinyl, imidazolyl, tetrazolyl, pyrrolidinyl, isoxazolyl, furanyl, furazanyl, pyridinyl, oxazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, thiazolyl, benzthiazolyl, thiophenyl, pyrazolyl, triazolyl, pyrimidinyl, benzimidazolyl, isoindolyl, indazolyl, benzodiazolyl, benzotriazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzisoxazolyl, purinyl, indolyl, isoquinolinyl, quinolinyl, and quinazolinyl. A heterocycle group can be unsubstituted or optionally substituted with one or more substituents as described herein below.

The term “hydroxyalkyl,” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group having the indicated number of carbon atoms wherein one or more of the alkyl group's hydrogen atoms is replaced with an —OH group. Examples of hydroxyalkyl groups include, but are not limited to, —CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂OH, and branched versions thereof.

Substituents for the alkyl radicals (as well as those groups referred to as alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl and heterocycloalkenyl) can be a variety of groups selected from: —OR′, ═O, ═NR′, ═N—OR′, —NR′R″, —SR′, -halo, —SiR′R″R′″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)R′, —CO₂R′, —CONR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR″C(O)R′, —NR′″C(O)NR′R″, —NR′″SO₂NR′R″, —NR″CO₂R′, —NHC(NH₂)═NH, —NR′C(NH₂)═NH, —NHC(NH₂)═NR′, —S(O)R′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —NR″SO₂R′, —CN and —NO₂, in a number ranging from zero to three, with those groups having zero, one or two substituents being particularly preferred. R′, R″ and R′″ each independently refer to hydrogen, unsubstituted (C₁-C₈)alkyl, unsubstituted hetero(C₁-C₈)alkyl, unsubstituted aryl and aryl substituted with one to three substituents selected from -halo, unsubstituted alkyl, unsubstituted alkoxy, unsubstituted thioalkoxy and unsubstituted aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl. When R′ and R″ are attached to the same nitrogen atom, they can be combined with the nitrogen atom to form a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring. For example, —NR′R″ is meant to include 1-pyrrolidinyl and 4-morpholinyl. Typically, an alkyl or heteroalkyl group will have from zero to three substituents, with those groups having two or fewer substituents being preferred in the present invention. More preferably, an alkyl or heteroalkyl radical will be unsubstituted or monosubstituted. Most preferably, an alkyl or heteroalkyl radical will be unsubstituted. From the above discussion of substituents, one of skill in the art will understand that the term “alkyl” is meant to include groups such as trihaloalkyl (e.g., —CF₃ and —CH₂CF₃).

Preferred substituents for the alkyl and heteroalkyl radicals are selected from: —OR′, ═O, —NR′R″, —SR′, -halo, —SiR′R″R′″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)R′, —CO₂R′, —C(O)NR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR″C(O)R′, —NR″CO₂R′, —NR′″SO₂NR′R″, —S(O)R′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —NR″SO₂R′, —CN and —NO₂, where R′, R″ and R′″ are as defined above. Further preferred substituents are selected from: —OR′, ═O, —NR′R″, -halo, —OC(O)R′, —CO₂R′, —C(O)NR′R″, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR″C(O)R′, —NR″CO₂R′, —NR′″SO₂NR′R″, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —NR″SO₂R′—CN and —NO₂.

Similarly, substituents for the aryl and heteroaryl groups are varied and selected from: -halo, —OR′, —OC(O)R′, —NR′R″, —SR′, —R′, —CN, —NO₂, —CO₂R′, —C(O)NR′R″, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR″C(O)R′, —NR″CO₂R′, —NR″′C(O)NR′R″, —NR′″SO₂NR′R″, —NHC(NH₂)═NH, —NR′C(NH₂)═NH, —NH—C(NH₂)═NR′, —S(O)R′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —NR″SO₂R′, —N₃, —CH(Ph)₂, perfluoroalkoxy and perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkyl, in a number ranging from zero to the total number of open valences on the aromatic ring system; and where R′, R″ and R′″ are independently selected from hydrogen, unsubstituted (C₁-C₈)alkyl, unsubstituted hetero(C₁-C₈)alkyl, unsubstituted aryl, unsubstituted heteroaryl, unsubstituted aryl(C₁-C₄)alkyl and unsubstituted aryloxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl. Typically, an aryl or heteroaryl group will have from zero to three substituents, with those groups having two or fewer substituents being preferred in the present invention. In one embodiment of the invention, an aryl or heteroaryl group will be unsubstituted or monosubstituted. In another embodiment, an aryl or heteroaryl group will be unsubstituted.

Preferred substituents for aryl and heteroaryl groups are selected from: -halo, —OR′, —OC(O)R′, —NR′R″, —SR′, —R′, —CN, —NO₂, —CO₂R′, —CONR′R″, —C(O)R′, —OC(O)NR′R″, —NR″C(O)R′, —S(O)R′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —NR″SO₂R′, —N₃, —CH(Ph)₂, perfluoroalkoxy and perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkyl, where R′ and R″ are as defined above. Further preferred substituents are selected from: -halo, —OR′, —OC(O)R′, —NR′R″, —R′, —CN, —NO₂, —CO₂R′, —CONR′R″, —NR″C(O)R′, —SO₂R′, —SO₂NR′R″, —NR″SO₂R′, perfluoroalkoxy and perfluoro(C₁-C₄)alkyl.

Two of the substituents on adjacent atoms of the aryl or heteroaryl ring may optionally be replaced with a substituent of the formula -T-C(O)—(CH₂)_(q)—U—, wherein T and U are independently —NH—, —O—, —CH₂— or a single bond, and q is an integer of from 0 to 2. Alternatively, two of the substituents on adjacent atoms of the aryl or heteroaryl ring may optionally be replaced with a substituent of the formula -A-(CH₂)_(r)—B—, wherein A and B are independently —CH₂—, —O—, —NH—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, —S(O)₂NR′— or a single bond, and r is an integer of from 1 to 3. One of the single bonds of the new ring so formed may optionally be replaced with a double bond. Alternatively, two of the substituents on adjacent atoms of the aryl or heteroaryl ring may optionally be replaced with a substituent of the formula —(CH₂)_(s)—X—(CH₂)_(t)—, where s and t are independently integers of from 0 to 3, and X is —O—, —NR′—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O)₂—, or —S(O)₂NR′—. The substituent R′ in —NR′— and —S(O)₂NR′— is selected from hydrogen or unsubstituted (C₁-C₆)alkyl.

It is to be understood that the substituent —CO₂H, as used herein, may be optionally replaced with bioisosteric replacements such as:

and the like. See, e.g., The Practice of Medicinal Chemistry; Wermuth, C. G., Ed.; Academic Press: New York, 1996; p. 203.

The Aryl Sulfone Compound can also exist in various isomeric forms, including configurational, geometric and conformational isomers, as well as existing in various tautomeric forms, particularly those that differ in the point of attachment of a hydrogen atom. As used herein, the term “isomer” is intended to encompass all isomeric forms of an Aryl Sulfone Compound, including tautomeric forms of the compound.

Certain Aryl Sulfone Compounds may have asymmetric centers and therefore exist in different enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms. An Aryl Sulfone Compound can be in the form of an optical isomer or a diastereomer. Accordingly, the invention encompasses Aryl Sulfone Compounds and their uses as described herein in the form of their optical isomers, diasteriomers and mixtures thereof, including a racemic mixture. Optical isomers of the Aryl Sulfone Compounds can be obtained by known techniques such as asymmetric synthesis, chiral chromatography, simulated moving bed technology or via chemical separation of stereoisomers through the employment of optically active resolving agents.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “stereoisomer” or means one stereoisomer of a compound that is substantially free of other stereoisomers of that compound. For example, a stereomerically pure compound having one chiral center will be substantially free of the opposite enantiomer of the compound. A stereomerically pure compound having two chiral centers will be substantially free of other diastereomers of the compound. A typical stereomerically pure compound comprises greater than about 80% by weight of one stereoisomer of the compound and less than about 20% by weight of other stereoisomers of the compound, more preferably greater than about 90% by weight of one stereoisomer of the compound and less than about 10% by weight of the other stereoisomers of the compound, even more preferably greater than about 95% by weight of one stereoisomer of the compound and less than about 5% by weight of the other stereoisomers of the compound, and most preferably greater than about 97% by weight of one stereoisomer of the compound and less than about 3% by weight of the other stereoisomers of the compound.

It should be noted that if there is a discrepancy between a depicted structure and a name given that structure, the depicted structure controls. In addition, if the stereochemistry of a structure or a portion of a structure is not indicated with, for example, bold or dashed lines, the structure or portion of the structure is to be interpreted as encompassing all stereoisomers of it.

An Aryl Sulfone Compound can be in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt. Depending on the structure, the phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable salt,” as used herein, refers to a pharmaceutically acceptable organic or inorganic acid or base salt of an Aryl Sulfone Compound. Representative pharmaceutically acceptable salts include, e.g., alkali metal salts, alkali earth salts, ammonium salts, water-soluble and water-insoluble salts, such as the acetate, amsonate (4,4-diaminostilbene-2,2-disulfonate), benzenesulfonate, benzonate, bicarbonate, bisulfate, bitartrate, borate, bromide, butyrate, calcium, calcium edetate, camsylate, carbonate, chloride, citrate, clavulariate, dihydrochloride, edetate, edisylate, estolate, esylate, fiunarate, gluceptate, gluconate, glutamate, glycollylarsanilate, hexafluorophosphate, hexylresorcinate, hydrabamine, hydrobromide, hydrochloride, hydroxynaphthoate, iodide, isothionate, lactate, lactobionate, laurate, malate, maleate, mandelate, mesylate, methylbromide, methylnitrate, methylsulfate, mucate, napsylate, nitrate, N-methylglucamine ammonium salt, 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoate, oleate, oxalate, palmitate, pamoate (1,1-methene-bis-2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate, einbonate), pantothenate, phosphate/diphosphate, picrate, polygalacturonate, propionate, p-toluenesulfonate, salicylate, stearate, subacetate, succinate, sulfate, sulfosaliculate, suramate, tannate, tartrate, teoclate, tosylate, triethiodide, and valerate salts. Furthermore, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt can have more than one charged atom in its structure. In this instance the pharmaceutically acceptable salt can have multiple counterions. Hence, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt can have one or more charged atoms and/or one or more counterions.

As used herein, the term “isolated and purified form” means that when isolated (e.g., from other components of a synthetic organic chemical reaction mixture), the isolate contains at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least 50%, at least 55%, at least 60%, at least 65%, at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least 98% of an Aryl Sulfone Compound by weight of the isolate. In one embodiment, the isolate contains at least 95% of an Aryl Sulfone Compound by weight of the isolate.

As used herein, the term “prodrug” means a derivative of a compound that can hydrolyze, oxidize, or otherwise react under biological conditions (in vitro or in vivo) to provide an active compound, particularly an Aryl Sulfone Compound. Examples of prodrugs include, but are not limited to, derivatives and metabolites of an Aryl Sulfone Compound that include biohydrolyzable groups such as biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable carbamates, biohydrolyzable carbonates, biohydrolyzable ureides, and biohydrolyzable phosphate analogues (e.g., monophosphate, diphosphate or triphosphate). Preferably, prodrugs of compounds with carboxyl functional groups are the lower alkyl esters of the carboxylic acid. The carboxylate esters are conveniently formed by esterifying any of the carboxylic acid moieties present on the molecule. Prodrugs can typically be prepared using well-known methods, such as those described by Burger's Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery 6^(th) ed. (Donald J. Abraham ed., 2001, Wiley) and Design and Application of Prodrugs (H. Bundgaard ed., 1985, Harwood Academic Publishers Gmfh).

As used herein, the terms “treat”, “treating” and “treatment” refer to the eradication or amelioration of a disease or symptoms associated with a disease. In certain embodiments, such terms refer to minimizing the spread or worsening of the disease resulting from the administration of one or more prophylactic or therapeutic agents to a patient with such a disease.

As used herein, the terms “prevent”, “preventing” and “prevention” refer to the prevention of the onset, recurrence or spread of the disease in a patient resulting from the administration of a prophylactic or therapeutic agent.

The term “effective amount” as used herein refers to an amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound or other active ingredient sufficient to provide a therapeutic or prophylactic benefit in the treatment or prevention of a disease or to delay or minimize symptoms associated with a disease. Further, a therapeutically effective amount with respect to an Aryl Sulfone Compound means that amount of therapeutic agent alone, or in combination with other therapies, that provides a therapeutic benefit in the treatment or prevention of a disease. Used in connection with an Aryl Sulfone Compound, the term can encompass an amount that improves overall therapy, reduces or avoids symptoms or causes of disease, or enhances the therapeutic efficacy of or synergies with another therapeutic agent.

As used herein, “syndrome X” refers to a collection of abnormalities including hyperinsulinemia, obesity, elevated levels of triglycerides, uric acid, fibrinogen, small dense LDL particles and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), and decreased levels of HDL cholesterol. Syndrome X is further meant to include metabolic syndrome.

The terms “modulate”, “modulation” and the like refer to the ability of a compound to increase or decrease the function, or activity of, for example, 11β-HSD1. “Modulation”, as used herein in its various forms, is intended to encompass inhibition, antagonism, partial antagonism, activation, agonism and/or partial agonism of the activity associated with 11β-HSD1. 11β-HSD1 inhibitors are compounds that, e.g., bind to, partially or totally block stimulation, decrease, prevent, delay activation, inactivate, desensitize, or down regulate signal transduction. 11β-HSD1 activators are compounds that, e.g., bind to, stimulate, increase, open, activate, facilitate, enhance activation, sensitize or up regulate signal transduction. The ability of a compound to modulate 11β-HSD1 can be demonstrated in an enzymatic assay or a cell-based assay. For example, the inhibition of 11β-HSD1 may decrease cortisol levels in a patient and/or increase cortisone levels in a patient by blocking the conversion of cortisone to cortisol. Alternatively, the inhibition of 11β-HSD2 can increase cortisol levels in a patient and/or decrease cortisone levels in a patient by blocking the conversion of cortisol to cortisone.

A “patient” includes an animal (e.g., cow, horse, sheep, pig, chicken, turkey, quail, cat, dog, mouse, rat, rabbit or guinea pig), in one embodiment a mammal such as a non-primate and a primate (e.g., monkey and human), and in another embodiment a human. In a preferred embodiment, a patient is a human. In specific embodiments, the patient is a human infant, child, adolescent or adult.

The term “HSD” as used herein, refers to hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzymes in general, including, but not limited to, 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (11β-HSDs), 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (17β-HSDs), 20-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (20α-HSDs), 3-alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases (3α-HSDs), and all isoforms thereof.

The term “11β-HSD1” as used herein, refers to the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 enzyme, variant, or isoform thereof. 11β-HSD1 variants include proteins substantially homologous to native 11β-HSD1, i.e., proteins having one or more naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid deletions, insertions or substitutions (e.g., 11β-HSD1 derivatives, homologs and fragments). The amino acid sequence of a 11β-HSD1 variant preferably is at least about 80% identical to a native 11β-HSD1, more preferably at least about 90% identical, and most preferably at least about 95% identical.

The term “11β-HSD2” as used herein, refers to the 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 enzyme, variant, or isoform thereof. 11β-HSD2 variants include proteins substantially homologous to native 11β-HSD2, i.e., proteins having one or more naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid deletions, insertions or substitutions (e.g., 11β-HSD2 derivatives, homologs and fragments). The amino acid sequence of a 11β-HSD2 variant preferably is at least about 80% identical to a native 11β-HSD2, more preferably at least about 90% identical, and most preferably at least about 95% identical. (see Bart et al., J. Med. Chem., 2002, 45:3813-3815).

The term “17β-HSD3” as used herein, refers to the 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3 enzyme, variant, or isoform thereof. 17β-HSD3 variants include proteins substantially homologous to native 17β-HSD3, i.e., proteins having one or more naturally or non-naturally occurring amino acid deletions, insertions or substitutions (e.g., 17β-HSD3 derivatives, homologs and fragments). The amino acid sequence of a 17β-HSD3 variant preferably is at least about 80% identical to a native 17β-HSD3, more preferably at least about 90% identical, and most preferably at least about 95% identical.

As used herein, the term “HSD-responsive condition or disorder” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder that responds favorably to modulation of a hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase enzyme (HSD). Favorable responses to HSD modulation include alleviation or abrogation of the disease and/or its attendant symptoms, inhibition of the disease, i.e., arrest or reduction of the development of the disease, or its clinical symptoms, and regression of the disease or its clinical symptoms. An HSD-responsive condition or disease may be completely or partially responsive to HSD modulation. An HSD-responsive condition or disorder may be associated with inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, HSD activity and at least partially responsive to or affected by HSD modulation (e.g., an HSD inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients). Inappropriate HSD functional activity might arise as the result of HSD expression in cells which normally do not express HSD, decreased HSD expression or increased HSD expression. An HSD-responsive condition or disorder may include condition or disorder mediated by any HSD or isoform thereof.

As used herein, the term “11β-HSD1-responsive condition or disorder” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder that responds favorably to modulation of 11β-HSD1 activity. Favorable responses to 11β-HSD1 modulation include alleviation or abrogation of the disease and/or its attendant symptoms, inhibition of the disease, i.e., arrest or reduction of the development of the disease, or its clinical symptoms, and regression of the disease or its clinical symptoms. An 11β-HSD1-responsive condition or disease may be completely or partially responsive to 11β-HSD1 modulation. An 11β-HSD1-responsive condition or disorder may be associated with inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, 11β-HSD1 activity and at least partially responsive to or affected by 11β-HSD1 modulation (e.g., a 11β-HSD1 inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients). Inappropriate 11β-HSD1 functional activity might arise as the result of 11β-HSD1 expression in cells which normally do not express 11β-HSD1, decreased 11β-HSD1 expression or increased 11β-HSD1 expression. A 11β-HSD1-responsive condition or disorder may include a 11β-HSD1-mediated condition or disorder.

As used herein, the term “11β-HSD2-responsive condition or disorder” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder that responds favorably to modulation of 11β-HSD2 activity. Favorable responses to 11β-HSD2 modulation include alleviation or abrogation of the disease and/or its attendant symptoms, inhibition of the disease, i.e., arrest or reduction of the development of the disease, or its clinical symptoms, and regression of the disease or its clinical symptoms. An 11β-HSD2-responsive condition or disease may be completely or partially responsive to 11β-HSD2 modulation. An 11β-HSD2-responsive condition or disorder may be associated with inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, 11β-HSD2 activity and at least partially responsive to or affected by 11β-HSD2 modulation (e.g., a 11β-HSD2 inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients).

As used herein, the term “17β-HSD3-responsive condition or disorder” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder that responds favorably to modulation of 17β-HSD3 activity. Favorable responses to 17β-HSD3 modulation include alleviation or abrogation of the disease and/or its attendant symptoms, inhibition of the disease, i.e., arrest or reduction of the development of the disease, or its clinical symptoms, and regression of the disease or its clinical symptoms. An 17β-HSD3-responsive condition or disease may be completely or partially responsive to 17β-HSD3 modulation. An 17β-HSD3-responsive condition or disorder may be associated with inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, 17β-HSD3 activity and at least partially responsive to or affected by 17β-HSD3 modulation (e.g., a 17β-HSD3 inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients). Inappropriate 17β-HSD3 functional activity might arise as the result of 17β-HSD3 expression in cells which normally do not express 17β-HSD3, decreased 17β-HSD3 expression or increased 17β-HSD3 expression. A 17β-HSD3-responsive condition or disorder may include a 17β-HSD3-mediated condition or disorder.

As used herein, the term “HSD-mediated condition or disorder” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder characterized by inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, activity of a hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD). An HSD-mediated condition or disorder may be completely or partially characterized by inappropriate HSD activity. However, an HSD-mediated condition or disorder is one in which modulation of an HSD results in some effect on the underlying condition or disease (e.g., an HSD inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients).

As used herein, the term “11β-HSD1-mediated condition or disorder” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder characterized by inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, 11β-HSD1 activity. A 11β-HSD1-mediated condition or disorder may be completely or partially characterized by inappropriate 11β-HSD1 activity. However, a 11β-HSD1-mediated condition or disorder is one in which modulation of 11β-HSD1 results in some effect on the underlying condition or disease (e.g., a 11β-HSD1 inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients).

As used herein, the term “11β-HSD2-mediated condition or disorder” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder characterized by inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, 11β-HSD2 activity. A 11β-HSD2-mediated condition or disorder may be completely or partially characterized by inappropriate 11β-HSD2 activity. However, a 11β-HSD2-mediated condition or disorder is one in which modulation of 11β-HSD2 results in some effect on the underlying condition or disease (e.g., a 11β-HSD2 inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients).

As used herein, the term “17β-HSD3-mediated condition or disorder” and related terms and phrases refer to a condition or disorder characterized by inappropriate, e.g., less than or greater than normal, 17β-HSD3 activity. A 17β-HSD3-mediated condition or disorder may be completely or partially characterized by inappropriate 17β-HSD3 activity. However, a 17β-HSD3-mediated condition or disorder is one in which modulation of 17β-HSD3 results in some effect on the underlying condition or disease (e.g., a 17β-HSD3 inhibitor results in some improvement in patient well-being in at least some patients).

The following abbreviations are used herein and have the indicated definitions: ATP is adenosine triphosphate; t-BuOH is tert-butyl alcohol; CHO is chinese hamster ovary; Dess-Martin Periodinane is 1,1,1-triacetoxy-1,1-dihyro-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one; DIBAL-His diisobutyl aluminum hydride; DMEM is Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium; DMF is N,N-dimethylformamide; Et₃N is triethylamine; Et₄NCN is tetraethylammonium cyanide; EtOAc is ethyl acetate; EtOH is ethanol; LAH is lithium aluminum hydride; LDA is lithium diisopropylamide; LiAl(O^(t)Bu)₃H is lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminohydride; MeOH is methanol; MS is mass spectrometry; MsCl is methanesulfonyl chloride; NaBH₄ is sodium borohydride; NMR is nuclear magnetic resonance; PBS is phosphate-buffered saline; SPA is scintillation proximity assay; TBS is tert-butyldimethylsilyl; TBSCl is tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride; THF is tetrahydrofuran; TMS is trimethylsilyl.

Compounds of the Invention

The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I) and (II) as well as their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or prodrugs thereof, collectively referred to as the “The Aryl Sulfone Compounds.”

Turning first to Formula (I), the symbol R¹ represents a member selected from —OH, halogen and (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl. The symbols R² and R³ are members independently selected from halogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl and (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, wherein no more than two of R¹, R² and R³ are halogen.

The symbols R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are each members independently selected from H, halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂, —NR′C(O)R′, —X—C(O)R′, —X—C(O)OR′, —X—NR′C(O)OR″, —X—OR″, —X—OC(O)R′, —X—C(O)N(R′)₂, —X—S(O)R″, —X—SO₂R″, —X—SO₂N(R′)₂, —X—N(R′)₂ and —X—NR′C(O)R′; and optionally two of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ when attached to adjacent carbon atoms are combined to form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring optionally having from one to three heteroatoms as ring members, and any fused ring portion, cycloalkyl portion, heterocycloalkyl portion, aryl or heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from one to four members selected from halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR′, —SR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′; and wherein X is a branched or straight chain (C₁-C₈)alkylene group.

For the above substituents, each occurrence of R′ is independently H or an unsubstituted member selected from (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, or two R′ groups, when attached to the same nitrogen atom, can be combined with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form a heterocycle or heteroaryl group; and each occurrence of R″ is independently an unsubstituted member selected from (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl or aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl.

The symbol R⁹ is H or halogen, with the proviso that the compound is other than 2-{4-[4-(1-Hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-phenyl}-propan-2-ol or 1-(1-chloro-1-methylethyl)-4-(phenylsulfonyl)benzene.

In one group of preferred embodiments, R¹ is —OH; and R² and R³ are each independently selected from (C₁-C₄)alkyl and (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl. Still further preferred are those embodiments in which R¹ is —OH; R² is (C₁-C₄)alkyl; and R³ is (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl. Even further preferred are those embodiments in which R¹ is —OH; R² is —CH₃; and R³ is —CF₃. Within this last group of preferred embodiments, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are each members preferably and independently selected from H, halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′.

In a related group of embodiments, R¹ is —OH; R² is (C₁-C₄)alkyl; R³ is (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl; and R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are each members independently selected from H, halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′. Still further preferred are those embodiments in which R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are each members independently selected from H, halogen, —CN, (C₁-C₉)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₆)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —OR″, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′.

Within the groups of embodiments just provided, three or four of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are preferably H. That is, the phenyl ring bearing R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ is preferably a mono- or di-substituted phenyl ring.

In related embodiments to those above, R⁹ is preferably fluoro or chloro.

In still another group of embodiments within Formula (I), two of R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ when attached to adjacent carbon atoms are combined to form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring optionally having from one to three heteroatoms as ring members, preferably a fused benzene, pyridine, imidazole, thiazole or oxazole ring. Still further preferred are those embodiments in which R⁷ and R⁸ are combined to form a fused benzene or pyridine ring.

In a related set of embodiments, R¹ is fluoro; and R² and R³ are each independently selected from (C₁-C₄)alkyl and (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl. Here, preferred embodiments are the same as those provided above when R¹ is —OH.

Turning next to Formula (II), the circled letter A represents a 5-, 6- or 7-membered heterocyclic ring having from 1 to 4 heteroatoms as ring members, said heteroatoms selected from O, S and N; wherein the heterocyclic ring is aromatic or non-aromatic. The symbol R¹¹ is a member selected from —OH, halogen, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy and (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl. The symbols R¹² and R¹³ represent members independently selected from halogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl and (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, wherein no more than two of R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are halogen. The symbol R¹⁴ represents H or halogen.

The subscript n is an integer of from 0 to 4; and each R¹⁵ is independently selected from halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂, —NR′C(O)R′, —X—C(O)R′, —X—C(O)OR′, —X—NR′C(O)OR″, —X—OR″, —X—OC(O)R′, —X—C(O)N(R′)₂, —X—S(O)R″, —X—SO₂R″, —X—SO₂N(R′)₂, —X—N(R′)₂ and —X—NR′C(O)R′; and optionally two of R¹⁵ when attached to adjacent carbon atoms are combined to form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring optionally having from one to three heteroatoms as ring members, and wherein any fused ring portion, cycloalkyl portion, heterocycloalkyl portion, aryl or heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from one to four members selected from halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR′, —SR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′; and wherein X is a branched or straight chain (C₁-C₈)alkylene group.

In each of the above substituents, each occurrence of R′ (as with Formula (I)) is independently H or an unsubstituted member selected from (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, or two R′ groups, when attached to the same nitrogen atom, can be combined with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form a heterocycle or heteroaryl group.

Similarly, each occurrence of R″ (as with substituents for Formula (I)) is independently an unsubstituted member selected from (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl or aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl.

In preferred embodiments of Formula (II), the A ring is selected from pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, pyridazine, imidazole, triazole, thiazole, oxazole, pyrazole and thiophene, more preferably pyridine, pyrimidine, pyrazine and pyridazine.

In one group of preferred embodiments, R¹¹ is —OH; and R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from (C₁-C₄)alkyl and (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl. Still further preferred are those embodiments in which R¹¹ is —OH; R¹² is (C₁-C₄)alkyl; and R¹³ is (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl. Even further preferred are those embodiments in which R¹¹ is —OH; R¹² is —CH₃; and R¹³ is —CF₃.

In other preferred embodiments, n is 0 to 2 and each R¹⁵, when present, is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′.

Still further preferred are those embodiments in which R¹¹ is —OH; R¹² is (C₁-C₄)alkyl; R¹³ is (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl; n is 0, 1 or 2 and each R¹⁵, when present, is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′.

The Aryl Sulfone Compounds can have asymmetric centers and therefore exist in different enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms. This invention relates to the use of all optical isomers and stereoisomers of the Aryl Sulfone Compounds, and mixtures thereof, and to all pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment that may employ or contain them.

It should be noted that racemates, racemic mixtures, and stereoisomers, particularly diastereomeric mixtures or diastereomerically pure compounds and enantiomers or enantiomerically pure compounds of the above are all encompassed.

Particularly preferred compounds of the invention are selected from compounds a through ppp:

The present invention also provides compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, carrier, diluent or excipient.

The invention further provides Aryl Sulfone Compounds of Formula (I) that are in isolated and purified form.

The invention provides methods for treating diabetes comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention also provides methods for treating obesity comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention further provides methods for treating an HSD-mediated condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention further provides methods for treating an 11β-HSD1-mediated condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention further provides methods for treating an 11β-HSD2-mediated condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention further provides methods for treating an 17β-HSD3-mediated condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention further provides methods for treating an HSD-responsive condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention further provides methods for treating an 11β-HSD1-responsive condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention further provides methods for treating an 11β-HSD2-responsive condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

The invention further provides methods for treating an 17β-HSD3-responsive condition or disorder comprising administering to a patient in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound of Formula (I) or (II).

Preparation of the Aryl Sulfone Compounds of Formula I or Formula II

Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are a variety of methods available to synthesize molecules represented in the claims. In general, useful methods for synthesizing compounds represented in the claims consist of three parts, which may be done in any order: formation of a diaryl or aryl-heteroaryl sulfone, installation of a —CR^(a1)R^(a2)R^(a3) group and installation or modification of functional groups appended to the aryl or heteroaryl ring(s). Retrosynthetic disconnection of the compounds of the invention into fragments a-d, useful for construction of the compounds, is shown below:

In the methods described below, the “ring” can be phenyl (optionally substituted by one or more R^(d), for example, the moieties defined for R⁴-R⁸), such as in Formula (I) or a heteroaryl group (optionally substituted by one or more R^(d), for example, the moieties defined for R¹⁵) such as shown in Formula (II). For brevity and clarity, only a single ring is shown with the group R^(d). Several methods for the preparation of claimed compounds are preferred (eq. 1-3). Equation 1 illustrates one method of forming the sulfone linkage. X and Y may be chosen from two complimentary sets of substituents, where one of X or Y is a displaceable group or atom such as F, Cl, Br, I, OTf or OSO₂R, and the other is a group or atom which may be used to displace the aforementioned group, e.g., SH, SO₂M (wherein M signifies a metal).

The coupling referred to in eq. 1 may be assisted by the use of organic or inorganic bases and also by metal catalysts, in particular by various copper and/or palladium species. Exemplary coupling partners include fluoride and thiol, chloride and thiol, bromide and thiol, iodide and thiol, triflate and thiol, alkyl or arylsulfonate and thiol, sulfinate and iodide, sulfinate and bromide, sulfinate and chloride, sulfinate and fluoride, and hydrogen and sulfonyl chloride. Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are other possible combinations which will also result in the desired product. A recent review on C(aryl)-S bond formation (Ley et al. (2003) Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42:5400-5449) contains several methodologies suitable for the transformation illustrated in eq. 1.

Installation of the —CR^(a1)R^(a2)R^(a3) group may occur before or after the central coupling reaction, and modification thereof may occur at various times during the preparation of the compounds of the invention. Equation 2 illustrates one method, in which the —CR^(a1)R^(a2)R^(a3) group is installed in the form of a ketone before the central coupling reaction, and further modified to generate compounds of the invention. The 4′-fluoroacetophenone may be replaced with other halo acetophenones of the formula

4′-X-acetophenone, as well as by dihalo acetophenones of the formula 3′,4′-XY-acetophenone. Following the central coupling, addition of a nucleophile such as CF₃ ⁻ or CH₃ ⁻ via addition of CF₃TMS, MeLi, MeMgBr or similar reagent completes the installation of the —CR^(a1)R^(a2)R^(a3) group. Oxidation to the sulfone and further modification of the substituent(s) R^(d) completes the preparation.

Alternatively, the —CR^(a1)R^(a2)R^(a3) group may be installed following the central coupling via Friedel-Crafts acylation as in eq. 3. Those skilled in the art will understand that this may or may not be advantageous depending on the substitutents for R^(d).

Further modification as in eq. 1 provides the compounds of the invention.

The thiols and sulfinates used in the production of sulfones may be obtained by a variety of routes which are abundant in the literature. Exemplary methods suitable for the invention include preparation from the reduction of sulfonylchlorides via tin or other suitable reducing agent (eq. 4), metal-halogen exchange followed by trapping with sulfur and subsequent reduction, halogen displacement by sodium hydrosulfide and halogen displacement by a suitable S-nucleophile such as thioacetate followed by hydrolysis. Additional methods include the rearrangement of dialkylthiocarbamates (eq. 5, for example see DeCollo and Lees (2001) J. Org. Chem. 66:4244-4269) and the oxidation of thiophenols to sulfinates (eq. 6).

Introduction of the trifluoromethyl carbinol moiety may be achieved using a variety of methods, some of which are illustrated in eq. 7-9. The CF₃ group may be introduced by ketone addition to a ketone using CF₃TMS and TBAF, or a chiral quaternary base may be substituted for TBAF, such as in eq. 7, to preferentially produce one enantiomer in excess

(for an example see Caron et al. (2003) Synthesis 1693-1698). Another useful method is the chiral addition of a nucleophile such as MeLi or MeMgBr to a trifluoromethylketone mediated via an amine or aminoalcohol additive (eq. 8) (for an example see Thompson et al. (1995) Tetrahedron Lett. 49:8937-8940. Yet another useful method is Friedel-Crafts alkylation (eq. 9), which may be done in a fashion to give optically active products via the use of chiral catalysts such as binaphthol derived titanium catalysts (Ishii et al (2000) J. Org. Chem. 65:1597-1599), chiral copper catalysts (Zhuang et al. (2001) J. Org. Chem. 66:1009-1013). One skilled in the art will recognize that a multitude of methods are available for this transformation. For the most efficient preparation of any particular compound in the claims, one skilled in the art will also recognize that the timing of the introduction of the —CR¹R²R³ group can vary, and may be the first, last, or intermediate transformation in the preparation of a given compound.

A variety of the methods described above have been used to prepare compounds of the invention, some of which are exemplified in the examples.

Pharmaceutical Compositions

Pharmaceutical compositions and single unit dosage forms comprising an Aryl Sulfone Compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable stereoisomer, prodrug, salt, solvate, hydrate, or clathrate thereof, are also encompassed by the invention. Individual dosage forms of the invention may be suitable for oral, mucosal (including sublingual, buccal, rectal, nasal, or vaginal), parenteral (including subcutaneous, intramuscular, bolus injection, intraarterial, or intravenous), transdermal, or topical administration.

Single unit dosage forms of the invention are suitable for oral, mucosal (e.g., nasal, sublingual, vaginal, buccal, or rectal), parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, bolus injection, intramuscular, or intraarterial), or transdermal administration to a patient. Examples of dosage forms include, but are not limited to: tablets; caplets; capsules, such as soft elastic gelatin capsules; cachets; troches; lozenges; dispersions; suppositories; ointments; cataplasms (poultices); pastes; powders; dressings; creams; plasters; solutions; patches; aerosols (e.g., nasal sprays or inhalers); gels; liquid dosage forms suitable for oral or mucosal administration to a patient, including suspensions (e.g., aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspensions, oil-in-water emulsions, or a water-in-oil liquid emulsions), solutions, and elixirs; liquid dosage forms suitable for parenteral administration to a patient; and sterile solids (e.g., crystalline or amorphous solids) that can be reconstituted to provide liquid dosage forms suitable for parenteral administration to a patient.

The composition, shape, and type of dosage forms of the invention will typically vary depending on their use. For example, a dosage form used in the acute treatment of inflammation or a related disease may contain larger amounts of one or more of the active ingredients it comprises than a dosage form used in the chronic treatment of the same disease. Similarly, a parenteral dosage form may contain smaller amounts of one or more of the active ingredients it comprises than an oral dosage form used to treat the same disease or disorder. These and other ways in which specific dosage forms encompassed by this invention will vary from one another will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th ed., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).

Typical pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprise one or more carriers, excipients or diluents. Suitable excipients are well known to those skilled in the art of pharmacy, and non-limiting examples of suitable excipients are provided herein. Whether a particular excipient is suitable for incorporation into a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form depends on a variety of factors well known in the art including, but not limited to, the way in which the dosage form will be administered to a patient. For example, oral dosage forms such as tablets may contain excipients not suited for use in parenteral dosage forms. The suitability of a particular excipient may also depend on the specific active ingredients in the dosage form.

This invention further encompasses anhydrous (e.g., <1% water) pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprising active ingredients, since water can facilitate the degradation of some compounds. For example, the addition of water (e.g., 5%) is widely accepted in the pharmaceutical arts as a means of simulating long-term storage in order to determine characteristics such as shelf-life or the stability of formulations over time. See, e.g., Jens T. Carstensen, Drug Stability: Principles & Practice, 2d. Ed., Marcel Dekker, NY, N.Y., 1995, pp. 379-80. In effect, water and heat accelerate the decomposition of some compounds. Thus, the effect of water on a formulation can be of great significance since moisture and/or humidity are commonly encountered during manufacture, handling, packaging, storage, shipment, and use of formulations.

Anhydrous pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention can be prepared using anhydrous or low moisture containing ingredients and low moisture or low humidity conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms that comprise lactose and at least one active ingredient that comprises a primary or secondary amine are preferably anhydrous if substantial contact with moisture and/or humidity during manufacturing, packaging, and/or storage is expected.

An anhydrous pharmaceutical composition should be prepared and stored such that its anhydrous nature is maintained. Accordingly, anhydrous compositions are preferably packaged using materials known to prevent exposure to water such that they can be included in suitable formulary kits. Examples of suitable packaging include, but are not limited to, hermetically sealed foils, plastics, unit dose containers (e.g., vials), blister packs, and strip packs.

The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms that comprise one or more compounds that reduce the rate by which an active ingredient will decompose. Such compounds, which are referred to herein as “stabilizers,” include, but are not limited to, antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, pH buffers, or salt buffers.

The Aryl Sulfone Compound can be administered to a mammal (human, mouse, rat, rabbit, dog, cat, bovine, pig, monkey etc.) as an 11β-HSD1 modulator, a prophylactic or therapeutic drug of diabetes, a prophylactic or therapeutic drug of diabetic complication (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiac infarction and cerebral infarction based on arteriosclerosis etc.), a prophylactic or therapeutic drug of hyperlipemia, a prophylactic or therapeutic drug of obesity, neurodegenerative disease and the like, or a prophylactic or therapeutic drug of diseases mediated by 11β-HSD1.

The Aryl Sulfone Compound can be administered to a mammal concurrently with an additional therapeutic agent for the treatment of a disease, such as diabetes or obesity, with the aim of the prophylaxis or treatment of a disease. As such, the Aryl Sulfone Compounds of the present invention can be administered in combination with other therapeutic agents for the treatment or prevention of numerous diseases, including, but not limited to, diabetes and obesity.

Depending on the disease to be treated and the patient's condition, the compounds of the invention may be administered by oral, parenteral (e.g., intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intravenous, ICV, intracisternal injection or infusion, subcutaneous injection or implant), inhalation, nasal, vaginal, rectal, sublingual, or topical (e.g., transdermal, local) routes of administration and may be formulated, alone or together, in suitable dosage unit formulations containing conventional non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, adjuvants and vehicles appropriate for each route of administration. The invention also contemplates administration of the compounds of the invention in a depot formulation, in which the active ingredient is released over a defined time period.

In the case of a combined administration, the Aryl Sulfone Compound may be administered simultaneously with other another therapeutic agent that is useful for the treatment or prevention of diabetes, obesity or other disease or may be administered at a time prior to or subsequent to another therapeutic agent. In the case of combined administration, a pharmaceutical composition containing the Aryl Sulfone Compound and an additional therapeutic agent can be administered. Alternatively, a pharmaceutical composition containing the Aryl Sulfone Compound and a pharmaceutical composition containing an additional therapeutic agent may be administered separately. The administration routes of respective pharmaceutical compositions may be the same or different.

In the case of a combined administration, the Aryl Sulfone Compound may be administered at a dose of 50 mg to 800 mg per administration, which is given once to several times a day. In addition, the compound may be administered at a smaller dose. The combined pharmaceutical agent can be administered at a dose generally employed for the prophylaxis or treatment of diabetes or obesity or at a smaller dose than that.

Like the amounts and types of excipients, the amounts and specific types of active ingredients in a dosage form may differ depending on factors such as, but not limited to, the route by which it is to be administered to patients. However, typical dosage forms of the invention comprise an Aryl Sulfone Compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, hydrate, polymoprh or prodrug thereof. In the treatment or prevention of diabetes, obesity, glaucoma, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, immune disorders, depression or other conditions or disorders associated with the modulation of an hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, an appropriate dosage level will generally be from about 0.001 to about 100 mg per kg patient body weight per day which can be administered in single or multiple doses. Preferably, the dosage level will be from about 0.01 to about 25 mg/kg per day; more preferably from about 0.05 to about 10 mg/kg per day. A suitable dosage level may be from about 0.01 to about 25 mg/kg per day, about 0.05 to about 10 mg/kg per day, or about 0.1 to about 5 mg/kg per day. Within this range the dosage may be from about 0.005 to about 0.05, about 0.05 to about 0.5 or about 0.5 to about 5.0 mg/kg per day lie within the range of from about 0.1 mg to about 2000 mg per day, given as a single once-a-day dose in the morning but preferably as divided doses throughout the day taken with food. More preferably, the daily dose is administered twice daily in equally divided doses. Preferably, a daily dose range should be from about 5 mg to about 500 mg per day, more preferably, between about 10 mg and about 200 mg per day. In managing the patient, the therapy should be initiated at a lower dose, perhaps from about 1 mg to about 25 mg, and increased if necessary up to from about 200 mg to about 2000 mg per day as either a single dose or divided doses, depending on the patient's global response.

For multidrug therapy, the weight ratio of the compound of the invention to the second active ingredient may be varied and will depend upon the effective dose of each ingredient. Generally, an effective dose of each will be used. Thus, for example, when a compound of the invention is combined with an NSAID, the weight ratio of the compound of the invention to the NSAID will generally range from about 1000:1 to about 1:1000, preferably about 200:1 to about 1:200. Combinations of a compound of the invention and other active ingredients will generally also be within the aforementioned range, but in each case, an effective dose of each active ingredient should be used.

It will be understood, however, that the specific dose level and frequency of dosage for any particular patient may be varied and will depend upon a variety of factors including the activity of the specific compound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of that compound, the age, body weight, general health, sex, diet, mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, the severity of the particular condition, and the host undergoing therapy.

Oral Dosage Forms

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention that are suitable for oral administration can be presented as discrete dosage forms, such as, but are not limited to, tablets (e.g., chewable tablets), caplets, capsules, and liquids (e.g., flavored syrups). Such dosage forms contain predetermined amounts of active ingredients, and may be prepared by methods of pharmacy well known to those skilled in the art. See generally, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th ed., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).

Typical oral dosage forms of the invention are prepared by combining the active ingredient(s) in an intimate admixture with at least one excipient according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. Excipients can take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. For example, excipients suitable for use in oral liquid or aerosol dosage forms include, but are not limited to, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, and coloring agents. Examples of excipients suitable for use in solid oral dosage forms (e.g., powders, tablets, capsules, and caplets) include, but are not limited to, starches, sugars, micro-crystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, and disintegrating agents.

Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit forms, in which case solid excipients are employed. If desired, tablets can be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueous techniques. Such dosage forms can be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy. In general, pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredients with liquid carriers, finely divided solid carriers, or both, and then shaping the product into the desired presentation if necessary.

For example, a tablet can be prepared by compression or molding. Compressed tablets can be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredients in a free-flowing form such as powder or granules, optionally mixed with an excipient. Molded tablets can be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

Examples of excipients that can be used in oral dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, binders, fillers, disintegrants, and lubricants. Binders suitable for use in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms include, but are not limited to, corn starch, potato starch, or other starches, gelatin, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, sodium alginate, alginic acid, other alginates, powdered tragacanth, guar gum, cellulose and its derivatives (e.g., ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, pre-gelatinized starch, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, (e.g., Nos. 2208, 2906, 2910), microcrystalline cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Examples of fillers suitable for use in the pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, talc, calcium carbonate (e.g., granules or powder), microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, dextrates, kaolin, mannitol, silicic acid, sorbitol, starch, pre-gelatinized starch, and mixtures thereof. The binder or filler in pharmaceutical compositions of the invention is typically present in from about 50 to about 99 weight percent of the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form.

Suitable forms of microcrystalline cellulose include, but are not limited to, the materials sold as AVICEL-PH-101, AVICEL-PH-103 AVICEL RC-581, AVICEL-PH-105 (available from FMC Corporation, American Viscose Division, Avicel Sales, Marcus Hook, Pa.), and mixtures thereof. An specific binder is a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose sold as AVICEL RC-581. Suitable anhydrous or low moisture excipients or additives include AVICEL-PH-103™ and Starch 1500 LM.

Disintegrants are used in the compositions of the invention to provide tablets that disintegrate when exposed to an aqueous environment. Tablets that contain too much disintegrant may disintegrate in storage, while those that contain too little may not disintegrate at a desired rate or under the desired conditions. Thus, a sufficient amount of disintegrant that is neither too much nor too little to detrimentally alter the release of the active ingredients should be used to form solid oral dosage forms of the invention. The amount of disintegrant used varies based upon the type of formulation, and is readily discernible to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typical pharmaceutical compositions comprise from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of disintegrant, specifically from about 1 to about 5 weight percent of disintegrant.

Disintegrants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, agar-agar, alginic acid, calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, polacrilin potassium, sodium starch glycolate, potato or tapioca starch, pre-gelatinized starch, other starches, clays, other algins, other celluloses, gums, and mixtures thereof.

Lubricants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, light mineral oil, glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, other glycols, stearic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, hydrogenated vegetable oil (e.g., peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil, and soybean oil), zinc stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl laureate, agar, and mixtures thereof. Additional lubricants include, for example, a syloid silica gel (AEROSIL 200, manufactured by W.R. Grace Co. of Baltimore, Md.), a coagulated aerosol of synthetic silica (marketed by Degussa Co. of Plano, Tex.), CAB-O-SIL (a pyrogenic silicon dioxide product sold by Cabot Co. of Boston, Mass.), and mixtures thereof. If used at all, lubricants are typically used in an amount of less than about 1 weight percent of the pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms into which they are incorporated.

For oral administration, the compositions are preferably provided in the form of tablets containing about 1 to about 1000 milligrams of the active ingredient. In other embodiments, the compositions are provided in provided in the form of tablets containing about 1.0, about 5.0, about 10.0, about 15.0, about 20.0, about 25.0, about 50.0, about 75.0, about 100.0, about 150.0, about 200.0, about 250.0, about 300.0, about 400.0, about 500.0, about 600.0, about 750.0, about 800.0, about 900.0, or about 1000.0 milligrams of the active ingredient for the symptomatic adjustment of the dosage to the patient to be treated. The compounds may be administered on a regimen of 1 to 4 times per day, preferably once or twice per day.

Delayed Release Dosage Forms

Active ingredients of the invention can be administered by controlled release means or by delivery devices that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123; and 4,008,719, 5,674,533, 5,059,595, 5,591,767, 5,120,548, 5,073,543, 5,639,476, 5,354,556, and 5,733,566, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such dosage forms can be used to provide slow or controlled-release of one or more active ingredients using, for example, hydropropylmethyl cellulose, other polymer matrices, gels, permeable membranes, osmotic systems, multilayer coatings, microparticles, liposomes, microspheres, or a combination thereof to provide the desired release profile in varying proportions. Suitable controlled-release formulations known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including those described herein, can be readily selected for use with the active ingredients of the invention. The invention thus encompasses single unit dosage forms suitable for oral administration such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gelcaps, and caplets that are adapted for controlled-release.

Controlled-release pharmaceutical products can improve drug therapy over that achieved by their non-controlled counterparts. Ideally, the use of an optimally designed controlled-release preparation in medical treatment is characterized by a minimum of drug substance being employed to cure or control the condition in a minimum amount of time. Advantages of controlled-release formulations include extended activity of the drug, reduced dosage frequency, and increased patient compliance. In addition, controlled-release formulations can be used to affect the time of onset of action or other characteristics, such as blood levels of the drug, and can thus affect the occurrence of side (e.g., adverse) effects.

Most controlled-release formulations are designed to initially release an amount of drug (active ingredient) that promptly produces the desired therapeutic effect, and gradually and continually release of other amounts of drug to maintain this level of therapeutic or prophylactic effect over an extended period of time. In order to maintain this constant level of drug in the body, the drug must be released from the dosage form at a rate that will replace the amount of drug being metabolized and excreted from the body. Controlled-release of an active ingredient can be stimulated by various conditions including, but not limited to, pH, temperature, enzymes, water, or other physiological conditions or compounds.

Parenteral Dosage Forms

Parenteral dosage forms can be administered to patients by various routes including, but not limited to, subcutaneous, intravenous (including bolus injection), intramuscular, and intra-arterial. Because their administration typically bypasses patients' natural defenses against contaminants, parenteral dosage forms are preferably sterile or capable of being sterilized prior to administration to a patient. Examples of parenteral dosage forms include, but are not limited to, solutions ready for injection, dry products ready to be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for injection, suspensions ready for injection, and emulsions. For example, lyophilized sterile compositions suitable for reconstitution into particulate-free dosage forms suitable for administration to humans.

Suitable vehicles that can be used to provide parenteral dosage forms of the invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to: Water for Injection USP; aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer's Injection; water-miscible vehicles such as, but not limited to, ethyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; and non-aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.

Compounds that increase the solubility of one or more of the active ingredients disclosed herein can also be incorporated into the parenteral dosage forms of the invention.

Parenteral dosage forms are preferred for the methods of preventing, treating or managing disease in a cancer patient.

Transdermal and Topical Dosage Forms

Transdermal and topical dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, creams, lotions, ointments, gels, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, or other forms known to one of skill in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990); and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 4th ed., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia (1985). Transdermal dosage forms include “reservoir type” or “matrix type” patches, which can be applied to the skin and worn for a specific period of time to permit the penetration of a desired amount of active ingredients.

Suitable excipients (e.g., carriers and diluents) and other materials that can be used to provide transdermal and topical dosage forms encompassed by this invention are well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts, and depend on the particular tissue to which a given pharmaceutical composition or dosage form will be applied. With that fact in mind, typical excipients include, but are not limited to, water, acetone, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butane-1,3-diol, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, mineral oil, and mixtures thereof to form lotions, tinctures, creams, emulsions, gels or ointments, which are non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable. Moisturizers or humectants also can be added to pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms if desired. Examples of such additional ingredients are well known in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).

Depending on the specific tissue to be treated, additional components may be used prior to, in conjunction with, or subsequent to treatment with active ingredients of the invention. For example, penetration enhancers can be used to assist in delivering the active ingredients to the tissue. Suitable penetration enhancers include, but are not limited to: acetone; various alcohols such as ethanol, oleyl, and tetrahydrofuryl; alkyl sulfoxides such as dimethyl sulfoxide; dimethyl acetamide; dimethyl formamide; polyethylene glycol; pyrrolidones such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; Kollidon grades (Povidone, Polyvidone); urea; and various water-soluble or insoluble sugar esters such as Tween 80 (polysorbate 80) and Span 60 (sorbitan monostearate).

The pH of a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form, or of the tissue to which the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form is applied, may also be adjusted to improve delivery of one or more active ingredients. Similarly, the polarity of a solvent carrier, its ionic strength, or tonicity can be adjusted to improve delivery. Compounds such as stearates can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms to advantageously alter the hydrophilicity or lipophilicity of one or more active ingredients so as to improve delivery. In this regard, stearates can serve as a lipid vehicle for the formulation, as an emulsifying agent or surfactant, and as a delivery-enhancing or penetration-enhancing agent. Different salts, hydrates or solvates of the active ingredients can be used to further adjust the properties of the resulting composition.

Mucosal Dosage Forms and Lung Delivery

Mucosal dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, ophthalmic solutions, sprays and aerosols, or other forms known to one of skill in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990); and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms, 4th ed., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia (1985). Dosage forms suitable for treating mucosal tissues within the oral cavity can be formulated as mouthwashes or as oral gels. In one embodiment, the aerosol comprises a carrier. In another embodiment, the aerosol is carrier free.

A compound of the invention can also be administered directly to the lung by inhalation (see e.g., Tong et al., International Publication No. WO 97/39745; Clark et al, International Publication No. WO 99/47196, which are herein incorporated by reference). For administration by inhalation, an Aryl Sulfone Compound can be conveniently delivered to the lung by a number of different devices. For example, a Metered Dose Inhaler (“MDI”) which utilizes canisters that contain a suitable low boiling propellant, e.g., dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorotetrafluoroethane, carbon dioxide or other suitable gas can be used to deliver an Aryl Sulfone Compound directly to the lung. MDI devices are available from a number of suppliers such as 3M Corporation, Aventis, Boehringer Ingleheim, Forest Laboratories, Glaxo-Wellcome, Schering Plough and Vectura.

Alternatively, a Dry Powder Inhaler (DPI) device can be used to administer an Aryl Sulfone Compound to the lung (See, e.g., Raleigh et al., Proc. Amer. Assoc. Cancer Research Annual Meeting, 1999, 40, 397, which is herein incorporated by reference). DPI devices typically use a mechanism such as a burst of gas to create a cloud of dry powder inside a container, which can then be inhaled by the patient. DPI devices are also well known in the art and can be purchased from a number of vendors which include, for example, Fisons, Glaxo-Wellcome, Inhale Therapeutic Systems, ML Laboratories, Qdose and Vectura. A popular variation is the multiple dose DPI (“MDDPI”) system, which allows for the delivery of more than one therapeutic dose. MDDPI devices are available from companies such as AstraZeneca, GlaxoWellcome, IVAX, Schering Plough, SkyePharma and Vectura. For example, capsules and cartridges of gelatin for use in an inhaler or insufflator can be formulated containing a powder mix of the compound and a suitable powder base such as lactose or starch for these systems.

Another type of device that can be used to deliver an Aryl Sulfone Compound to the lung is a liquid spray device supplied, for example, by Aradigm Corporation. Liquid spray systems use extremely small nozzle holes to aerosolize liquid drug formulations that can then be directly inhaled into the lung.

In a preferred embodiment, a nebulizer device is used to deliver an Aryl Sulfone Compound to the lung. Nebulizers create aerosols from liquid drug formulations by using, for example, ultrasonic energy to form fine particles that can be readily inhaled (See e.g., Verschoyle et al., British J Cancer, 1999, 80, Suppl 2, 96, which is herein incorporated by reference). Examples of nebulizers include devices supplied by Sheffield/Systemic Pulmonary Delivery Ltd. (See, Armer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,047; van der Linden et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,950,619; van der Linden et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,974, which are herein incorporated by reference), Aventis and Batelle Pulmonary Therapeutics. Inhaled compounds, delivered by nebulizer devices, are currently under investigation as treatment for aerodigestive cancer (Engelke et al., Poster 342 at American Association of Cancer Research, San Francisco, Calif., Apr. 1-5, 2000) and lung cancer (Dahl et al., Poster 524 at American Association of Cancer Research, San Francisco, Calif., Apr. 1-5, 2000).

In a particularly preferred embodiment, an electrohydrodynamic (“EHD”) aerosol device is used to deliver an Aryl Sulfone Compound to the lung. EHD aerosol devices use electrical energy to aerosolize liquid drug solutions or suspensions (see e.g., Noakes et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,539; Coffee, U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,885; Coffee, International Publication No. WO 94/12285; Coffee, International Publication No. WO 94/14543; Coffee, International Publication No. WO 95/26234, Coffee, International Publication No. WO 95/26235, Coffee, International Publication No. WO 95/32807, which are herein incorporated by reference). The electrochemical properties of the compound of the invention formulation may be important parameters to optimize when delivering this drug to the lung with an EHD aerosol device and such optimization is routinely performed by one of skill in the art. EHD aerosol devices may more efficiently delivery drugs to the lung than existing pulmonary delivery technologies. Other methods of intra-pulmonary delivery of an Aryl Sulfone Compound will be known to the skilled artisan and are within the scope of the invention.

Liquid drug formulations suitable for use with nebulizers and liquid spray devices and EHD aerosol devices will typically include an Aryl Sulfone Compound with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Preferably, the pharmaceutically acceptable carrier is a liquid such as alcohol, water, polyethylene glycol or a perfluorocarbon. Optionally, another material may be added to alter the aerosol properties of the solution or suspension of an Aryl Sulfone Compound. Preferably, this material is liquid such as an alcohol, glycol, polyglycol or a fatty acid. Other methods of formulating liquid drug solutions or suspension suitable for use in aerosol devices are known to those of skill in the art (See, e.g., Biesalski, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,112,598; Biesalski, 5,556,611, which are herein incorporated by reference). A compound of the invention can also be formulated in rectal or vaginal compositions such as suppositories or retention enemas, e.g., containing conventional suppository bases such as cocoa butter or other glycerides.

In addition to the formulations described previously, an Aryl Sulfone Compound can also be formulated as a depot preparation. Such long acting formulations can be administered by implantation (for example subcutaneously or intramuscularly) or by intramuscular injection. Thus, for example, the compounds can be formulated with suitable polymeric or hydrophobic materials (for example, as an emulsion in an acceptable oil) or ion exchange resins, or as sparingly soluble derivatives, for example, as a sparingly soluble salt.

Other Delivery Systems

Alternatively, other pharmaceutical delivery systems can be employed. Liposomes and emulsions are well known examples of delivery vehicles that can be used to deliver an Aryl Sulfone Compound. Certain organic solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide can also be employed, although usually at the cost of greater toxicity. A compound of the invention can also be delivered in a controlled release system. In one embodiment, a pump can be used (Sefton, CRC Crit. Ref Biomed Eng., 1987, 14, 201; Buchwald et al., Surgery, 1980, 88, 507; Saudek et al., N. Engl. J. Med, 1989, 321, 574). In another embodiment, polymeric materials can be used (see Medical Applications of Controlled Release, Langer and Wise (eds.), CRC Pres., Boca Raton, Fla. (1974); Controlled Drug Bioavailability, Drug Product Design and Performance, Smolen and Ball (eds.), Wiley, New York (1984); Ranger and Peppas, J Macromol. Sci. Rev. Macromol. Chem., 1983, 23, 61; see also Levy et al., Science 1985, 228, 190; During et al., Ann. Neurol., 1989, 25, 351; Howard et al., 1989, J. Neurosurg. 71, 105). In yet another embodiment, a controlled-release system can be placed in proximity of the target of the compounds of the invention, e.g., the lung, thus requiring only a fraction of the systemic dose (see, e.g., Goodson, in Medical Applications of Controlled Release, supra, vol. 2, pp. 115 (1984)). Other controlled-release system can be used (see e.g., Langer, Science, 1990, 249, 1527).

Suitable excipients (e.g., carriers and diluents) and other materials that can be used to provide mucosal dosage forms encompassed by this invention are well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts, and depend on the particular site or method which a given pharmaceutical composition or dosage form will be administered. With that fact in mind, typical excipients include, but are not limited to, water, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butane-1,3-diol, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, mineral oil, and mixtures thereof, which are non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable. Examples of such additional ingredients are well known in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. (1990).

The pH of a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form, or of the tissue to which the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form is applied, can also be adjusted to improve delivery of one or more active ingredients. Similarly, the polarity of a solvent carrier, its ionic strength, or tonicity can be adjusted to improve delivery. Compounds such as stearates can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms to advantageously alter the hydrophilicity or lipophilicity of one or more active ingredients so as to improve delivery. In this regard, stearates can serve as a lipid vehicle for the formulation, as an emulsifying agent or surfactant, and as a delivery-enhancing or penetration-enhancing agent. Different salts, hydrates or solvates of the active ingredients can be used to further adjust the properties of the resulting composition.

Therapeutic Uses of the Aryl Sulfone Compounds

In one aspect, the invention provides methods of treating or preventing a condition or disorder associated with the modulation of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases by administering to a patient having such a condition or disorder a therapeutically effective amount of a compound or composition of the invention. In one group of embodiments, conditions and disorders, including chronic diseases of humans or other species, can be treated with modulators, stimulators, or inhibitors of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases, such as 11β-HSD1.

Treatment or Prevention of Diabetes

Diabetes and diabetic conditions can be treated or prevented by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound.

Types of diabetes that can be treated or prevented by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound include type I diabetes mellitus (juvenile onset diabetes, insulin dependent-diabetes mellitus or IDDM), type II diabetes mellitus (non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus or NIDDM), insulinopathies, diabetes associated with pancreatic disorders, diabetes associated with other disorders (such as Cushing's Syndrome, acromegaly, pheochromocytoma, glucagonoma, primary aldosteronism, and somatostatinoma), type A and type B insulin resistance syndromes, lipatrophic diabetes, and diabetes induced by β-cell toxins.

In a preferred embodiment, the type of diabetes being treated is type II diabetes.

Treatment or Prevention of Obesity

Obesity can be treated or prevented by administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound.

Obesity may have genetic, environmental (e.g., expending less energy than is consumed) and regulatory determinants. Obesity includes exogenous, hyperinsulinar, hyperplasmic, hypothyroid, hypothalamic, symptomatic, infantile, upper body, alimentary, hypogonadal, simple and central obesity, hypophyseal adiposity and hyperphagia. Metabolic disorders, such as hyperlidemia and diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders, such as hypertension and coronary artery disease, are commonly associated with obesity.

Complications due to obesity may also be treated or prevented by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound. Such complications include, but are not limited to, sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, orthopedic disturbances of weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing joints, and skin disorders resulting from increased sweat or skin secretions.

Treatment or Prevention of Other Conditions

Other Conditions that can be treated or prevented by administering a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound include, but are not limited to any condition which is responsive to the modulation, preferably inhibition, of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases or specific isoforms thereof, and thereby benefit from administration of such a modulator. Representative conditions in this regard include, but are not limited to, metabolic disorders and related cardiovascular risk factors such as syndrome X, polycystic ovarian disease, eating disorders (e.g., anorexia and bulimia), craniopharyngioma, Prader-Willi syndrome, Frohlich's syndrome, hyperlipidemia, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL levels, high HDL levels, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and Cushing's syndrome; diseases associated therewith such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, vascular restenosis, retinopathy and nephropathy; neurologic disorders such as neurodegenerative disease, neuropathy and muscle wasting; cognitive disorders, such as age-related learning disorders, dementia, neurodegeneration, as well as for improvement of cognitive function in subjects ranging from the severely impaired (e.g., Parkinsons's or Alzheimer's associated dementia) to mildly impaired (e.g., age-associated memory impairment, drug-induced cognitive impairment) to unimpaired subjects (e.g., cognitive enhancers for the general population) (see, Sandeep, et al., PNAS, electronically available at www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.0306996101); androgen and/or estrogen-related disorders such as prostate cancer, colon cancer, breast cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, and male pseudohermaphrodism; endometriosis, dementia, depression, psoriasis, glaucoma, osteoporosis, viral infections, inflammatory disorders, and immune disorders.

Additional Therapeutic Agents

In one embodiment, the present methods for treating or preventing further comprise the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of another therapeutic agent useful for treating or preventing the diseases or disorders disclosed herein. In this embodiment, the time in which the therapeutic effect of the other therapeutic agent is exerted overlaps with the time in which the therapeutic effect of the Aryl Sulfone Compound is exerted.

The compounds of the invention can be combined or used in combination with other agents useful in the treatment, prevention, suppression or amelioration of the conditions or disorders for which compounds of the invention are useful, including diabetes, obesity, glaucoma, osteoporosis, cognitive disorders, immune disorders, depression and those pathologies noted above.

Such other agents, or drugs, may be administered, by a route and in an amount commonly used therefor, simultaneously or sequentially with an Aryl Sulfone Compound. When an Aryl Sulfone Compound is used contemporaneously with one or more other drugs, a pharmaceutical composition containing such other drugs in addition to the compound of the invention is preferred. Accordingly, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention include those that also contain one or more other active ingredients or therapeutic agents, in addition to an Aryl Sulfone Compound.

In one embodiment, for the treatment or prevention of diabetes, an Aryl Sulfone Compound can be administered with another therapeutic agent, including, but not limited to, anti-diabetic agents such as insulin, inhaled insulin (Exubera®), insulin mimetics, insulin secretogues, sulfonylureas (e.g., glyburide, meglinatide, glimepiride, gliclazide, glipizide, gliquidone, chloropropresponsivemide, tolbutamide, acetohexamide, glycopyramide, carbutamide, glibonuride, glisoxepid, glybuthiazole, glibuzole, glyhexamide, glymidine, glypinamide, phenbutamide, tolcylamide and tolazamide), biguanides (e.g., metformin (Glucophage®), α-glucosidase inhibitors (e.g., acarbose, voglibose and miglitol), thiazolidinone compounds (e.g., rosiglitazone (Avandia®), troglitazone (Rezulin®), ciglitazone, pioglitazone (Actos®) and englitazone), prandial glucose regulators (e.g., repaglinide and nateglinide) and glucagon receptor antagonists.

In another embodiment, for the treatment or prevention of obesity, an Aryl Sulfone Compound can be administered with another therapeutic agent, including, but not limited to, β3 adrenergic receptor agonists, leptin or derivatives thereof, neuropeptide Y (e.g., NPY5) antagonists, and mazindol.

Examples of other therapeutic agents that may be combined with an Aryl Sulfone Compound, either administered separately or in the same pharmaceutical compositions, include, but are not limited to: (i) cholesterol lowering agents such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (e.g., lovastatin, simvastatin (Zocor®), pravastatin, fluvastatin, atorvastatin (Lipitor®) and other statins), bile acid sequestrants (e.g., cholestyramine and colestipol), vitamin B₃ (also known as nicotinic acid, or niacin), vitamin B₆ (pyridoxine), vitamin B₁₂ (cyanocobalamin), fibric acid derivatives (e.g., gemfibrozil, clofibrate, fenofibrate and benzafibrate), probucol, nitroglycerin, and inhibitors of cholesterol absorption (e.g., beta-sitosterol and acylCoA-cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitors such as melinamide), HMG-CoA synthase inhibitors, squalene epoxidase inhibitors and squalene synthetase inhibitors; (ii) antithrombotic agents, such as thrombolytic agents (e.g., streptokinase, alteplase, anistreplase and reteplase), heparin, hirudin and warfarin derivatives, β-blockers (e.g., atenolol), β adrenergic agonists (e.g., isoproterenol), angiotensin II antagonists, ACE inhibitors and vasodilators (e.g., sodium nitroprusside, nicardipine hydrochloride, nitroglycerin and enaloprilat); (iii) PPAR agonists, e.g., PPARγ and PPARδ agonists; (iv) DP antagonists; (v) lubricants or emollients such as petrolatum and lanolin, keratolytic agents, vitamin D₃ derivatives (e.g., calcipotriene and calcipotriol (Dovonex®)), PUVA, anthralin (Drithrocreme®), etretinate (Tegison®) and isotretinoin; (vi) glaucoma therapies such as cholinergic agonists (e.g., pilocarpine and carbachol), cholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., physostigmine, neostigmine, demacarium, echothiophate iodide and isofluorophate), carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g., acetazolamide, dichlorphenamide, methazolamide, ethoxzolamide and dorzolamide), non-selective adrenergic agonists (e.g., epinephrine and dipivefrin), α₂-selective adrenergic agonists (e.g., apraclonidine and brimonidine), β-blockers (e.g., timolol, betazolol, levobunolol, carteolol and metipranolol), prostaglandin analogs (e.g., latanoprost) and osmotic diuretics (e.g., glycerin, mannitol and isosorbide); corticosteroids, such as beclomethasone, methylprednisolone, betamethasone, prednisone, prenisolone, dexamethasone, fluticasone and hydrocortisone, and corticosteroid analogs such as budesonide; (vii) immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (cyclosporine A, Sandimmune®, Neoral®), tacrolimus (FK-506, Prograf®), rapamycin (sirolimus, Rapamune®) and other FK-506 type immunosuppressants, and mycophenolate, e.g., mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept®); (viii) non-steroidal antiinflammatory agents (NSAIDs) such as propionic acid derivatives (e.g., alminoprofen, benoxaprofen, bucloxic acid, carprofen, fenbufen, fenoprofen, fluprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indoprofen, ketoprofen, miroprofen, naproxen, oxaprozin, pirprofen, pranoprofen, suprofen, tiaprofenic acid and tioxaprofen), acetic acid derivatives (e.g., indomethacin, acemetacin, alclofenac, clidanac, diclofenac, fenclofenac, fenclozic acid, fentiazac, furofenac, ibufenac, isoxepac, oxpinac, sulindac, tiopinac, tolmetin, zidometacin and zomepirac), fenamic acid derivatives (e.g., flufenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, mefenamic acid, niflumic acid and tolfenamic acid), biphenylcarboxylic acid derivatives (e.g., diflunisal and flufenisal), oxicams (e.g., isoxicam, piroxicam, sudoxicam and tenoxican), salicylates (e.g., acetylsalicylic acid and sulfasalazine) and the pyrazolones (e.g., apazone, bezpiperylon, feprazone, mofebutazone, oxyphenbutazone and phenylbutazone); (ix) cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors such as celecoxib (Celebrex®) and rofecoxib (Vioxx®); (xi) inhibitors of phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE-IV); (xii) opioid analgesics such as codeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, propoxyphene, buprenorphine, butorphanol, dezocine, nalbuphine and pentazocine; (xiii) a hepatoprotective agent; and (xiv) other compounds such as 5-aminosalicylic acid and prodrugs thereof.

The weight ratio of the compound of the invention to the second active ingredient may be varied and will depend upon the effective dose of each ingredient. Generally, an effective dose of each will be used. Thus, for example, when an Aryl Sulfone Compound is combined with an NSAID, the weight ratio of the compound of the invention to the NSAID will generally range from about 1000:1 to about 1:1000, preferably about 200:1 to about 1:200. Combinations of an Aryl Sulfone Compound and other active ingredients will generally also be within the aforementioned range, but in each case, an effective dose of each active ingredient should be used.

Kits

The invention encompasses kits that can simplify the administration of the Aryl Sulfone Compounds or composition of the invention to a patient.

A typical kit of the invention comprises a unit dosage of an Aryl Sulfone Compound. In one embodiment, the unit dosage form is in a container, which can be sterile, containing a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound and a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle. In another embodiment, the unit dosage form is in a container containing a therapeutically effective amount of an Aryl Sulfone Compound as a lyophilate or pharmaceutically acceptable salt. In this instance, the kit can further comprise another container that contains a solution useful for the reconstitution of the lyophilate or dissolution of the salt. The kit can also comprise a label or printed instructions for use of the Aryl Sulfone Compounds.

In a further embodiment, the kit comprises a unit dosage form of a composition of the invention.

Kits of the invention can further comprise one or more devices that are useful for administering the unit dosage forms of the Aryl Sulfone Compounds or a composition of the invention. Examples of such devices include, but are not limited to, a syringe, a drip bag, a patch or an enema, which optionally contain the unit dosage forms.

The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments disclosed in the examples which are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the invention and any embodiments that are functionally equivalent are within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. To this end, it should be noted that one or more hydrogen atoms or methyl groups may be omitted from the drawn structures consistent with accepted shorthand notation of such organic compounds, and that one skilled in the art of organic chemistry would readily appreciate their presence.

EXAMPLES

The Aryl Sulfone Compounds represented by the formulas of the present invention and the methods of making thereof are explained in detail in the following Examples, which are not to be construed as limiting the invention.

Example 1 Preparation of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-[4-(toluene-2-sulfonyl)phenyl]-propan-2-ol

a) A 100 mL flask was charged with 1.24 g 2-methylbenzenethiol (10 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 1.2 mL 4′-fluoroacetophenone (10 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 4.07 g cesium carbonate (12.5 mmol, 1.25 equiv) and 10 mL DMF. The flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, and then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the solution was cooled to room temperature, diluted (H₂O) and extracted (2× Et₂O). The organics were dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc/Hexane) provided 1.8 g of the product as a white solid (7.4 mmol).

b) The diphenylthioether prepared above in step a (242 mg, 1.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 10 mL CH₂Cl₂ was combined in a flask with 670 mg 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (3.0 mmol, 3.0 equiv). After stirring for 4 h, the suspension was diluted (sat. NaHCO₃) and extracted (CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 30% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 210 mg of the product as a white solid (0.76 mmol).

c) 1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-[4-(toluene-2-sulfonyl)phenyl]-propan-2-ol (b). To a 100 mL flask containing 195 mg of the intermediate prepared in step b (0.71 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and 3.57 mL TMS-CF₃ (0.5 M in THF, 1.78 mmol, 2.5 equiv) was added 1.07 mL tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1.0 M in THF, 1.07 mmol, 1.5 equiv). After stirring for 12 h, the solution was diluted (sat. NaHCO₃) and extracted (CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 35% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 200 mg of the product as white solid (0.55 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 8.23 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.88 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.52 (dd, J=8.0, 7.0 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J=8.0, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 2.78 (s, 1H), 2.47 (s, 3H), 1.80 (s, 3H).

Example 2 Preparation of 2-[4-(2-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-propan-2-ol and 2-fluoro-2-[4-(2-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-propane

a) A 100 mL flask was charged with 1.45 g 2-chloro-benzenethiol (10 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 1.2 mL 4′-fluoroacetophenone (10 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 4.07 g cesium carbonate (12.5 mmol, 1.25 equiv) and 10 mL DMF. The flask was then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the solution was cooled to room temperature, diluted (H₂O) and extracted (2× Et₂O). The organics were dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc/Hexane) provided 1.5 g of the product as a white solid (5.7 mmol).

b) The sulfide prepared above in step a (524 mg, 2.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was dissolved in THF (10 mL) and cooled to 0° C. Methyllithium (1.6 M in THF, 6.0 mL, 6.0 mmol, 3 equiv) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h, and then allowed to warm to room temperature. The resulting solution was diluted (H₂O) and extracted (CH₂Cl₂). The organics were washed (1× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 300 mg of the product as a white solid (1.01 mmol).

c) 2-[4-(2-Chlorobenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-propan-2-ol (c). 2-[4-(2-Chlorophenylsulfonyl)phenyl]-propan-2-ol (276 mg, 1.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 10 mL CH₂Cl₂ was combined in a flask with 670 mg 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (3.0 mmol, 3.0 equiv). After stirring for 4 h, the suspension was diluted (sat. NaHCO₃) and extracted (CH₂Cl₂). The organics were washed (1× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 30% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 270 mg of the product as a white solid (0.87 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 8.36 (dd, J=7.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.91 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.65 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.54-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.44 dd, J=8.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 1.59 (s, 6H).

d) 2-Fluoro-2-[4-(2-Chlorobenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-propane (f). To a 100 mL flask containing 2-[4-(2-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-propan-2-ol (174 mg, 0.62 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and THF (10 mL) was added (diethylamino)sulfur trifluoride (0.42 mL, 3.13 mmol) at −78° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction mixture was stirred for 30 min, and then quenched (sat. NaHCO₃) and extracted (CH₂Cl₂). The organics were washed (1× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 80 mg of the product as a white solid (0.28 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 8.39 (dd, J=7.5, 2.0 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.54-7.50 (m, 4H), 7.45 (dd, J=8.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 1.68 (d, J=20.2 Hz, 6H).

Example 3 Preparation of 3′-chloro-4′-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-biphenyl-4-carbonitrile and 3′-chloro-4′-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid amide

a) A 100 mL flask was charged with Pd(PPh₃)₄ (347 mg, 0.3 mmol, 0.03 equiv), 4-iodo-benzonitrile (2.3 g, 10 mmol, 1 equiv), benzene (10 mL), an aqueous solution of Na₂CO₃ (10 mL of a 2.0 M solution) and 3-chloro-4-fluorophenylboronic acid (1.94 g, 11.0 mmol, 1.1 equiv, dissolved in a minimum amount of ethanol). The flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, and then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted (H₂O) and extracted (EtOAc). The organics were washed (1× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc/Hexane) provided 2.0 g of the product as a white solid (8.7 mmol).

b) A 100 mL flask was charged with 0.55 g benzenethiol (5.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 1.16 g of the carbonitrile prepared in step a (5.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 1.62 g cesium carbonate (6.25 mmol, 1.25 equiv) and 15 mL DMF. The flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, and then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the solution was diluted (H₂O) and extracted (2× Et₂O). The organics were washed (1× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc/Hexane) provided 1.0 g of the product as a white solid (2.3 mmol).

c) A solution of 3′-chloro-4′-phenylsulfonylbiphenyl-4-carbonitrile prepared above in step a (4.5 g, 14.0 mmol, 1 equiv) and 10 mL acetyl chloride (140 mmol, 10 equiv) in CS₂ (30 mL) was added dropwise with stirring at 0° C. to 10 g AlBr₃ (75 mmol, 5.4 equiv) in CS₂ (30 mL). The reaction mixture was stirred for 2 h, and then quenched (H₂O) and extracted (CH₂Cl₂). The organics were washed (1× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20% EtOAc/Hexane) provided 3.0 g of the product as a white solid (10.4 mmol).

d) To a 100 mL flask containing 287 mg of ketone prepared in step c (1.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and 5.0 mL TMS-CF₃ (0.5 M in THF, 2.5 mmol, 2.5 equiv.) was added 1.5 mL tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1.0 M in THF, 1.5 mmol, 1.5 equiv). After stirring for 12 h, the solution was diluted (sat. NaHCO₃) and extracted (CH₂Cl₂). The organics were washed (1× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, CH₂Cl₂) gave 250 mg of the product as white solid (0.7 mmol).

e) 3′-Chloro-4′-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-biphenyl-4-carbonitrile (rr). The sulfide prepared in step d (250 mg, 0.7 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 10 mL CH₂Cl₂ was combined in a flask with 470 mg 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (2.1 mmol, 3.0 equiv). After stirring for 12 h, the suspension was diluted (sat. NaHCO₃) and extracted (CH₂Cl₂). The organics were washed (lx brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₃, 30% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 200 mg of the product as a white solid (0.51 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 8.48 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.81-7.79 (m, 4H), 7.71-7.67 (m, 4H), 2.54 (s, 1H), 1.83 (s, 3H).

f) 3′-Chloro-4′-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)benzenesulfonyl]-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid amide (rr). 200 mg potassium hydroxide (3.4 mmol, 8.9 equiv) was added to a solution of 150 mg 3′-chloro-4′-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)benzenesulfonyl]-biphenyl-4-carbonitrile (m, 0.38 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 8 mL tert-BuOH. The mixture was heated at 100° C. for 2 h and then quenched with water. The resulting solution was extracted with 10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂. The organics were washed (1× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) gave 80 mg of the product as a white solid (0.2 mmol). ¹H NMR (DMSO, 500 MHz) δ 8.39 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (s, 1H), 8.05 (dd, J=8.0, 1.0 Hz, 1H), 8.02-8.00 (m, 5H), 7.90-7.87 (m, 4H), 7.46 (s, 1H), 6.91 (s, 1H), 1.72 (s, 3H).

Example 4 Preparation of 3-chloro-4-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-benzonitrile

Using steps b, c, d and e described above in Example 3, but substituting 3-chloro-4-fluoro-benzonitrile for 3′-chloro-4′-fluoro-biphenyl-4-carbonitrile in step b, 3-chloro-4-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-benzonitrile was prepared. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 500 MHz) δ 8.50 (d, J=10.3 Hz, 1H), 8.00 (d, J=10.5 Hz, 2H), 7.82-7.80 (m, 3H), 7.75 (s, 1H), 2.58 (s, 1H), 1.82 (s, 3H). The racemic product was resolved by chiral HPLC to give the optically pure isomers ii and jj. The flow rate was 19 mL/min on a Chiralcel OD-H 20 mm i.d.×250 mm, 5μ column (Daciel Chemical Industries LTD), using isopropyl alcohol/hexane (15/90) as the eluent.

Alternate Preparation of 3-chloro-4-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-benzonitrile

Synthesis of 4′-(N,N-Dimethylthiocarbamate)acetophenone

To 4′-hydroxyacetophenone (714 g, 5.25 mol) under a dry inert atmosphere was added DMF (2 L) and DABCO (676 g, 6.00 mol). Mechanical stirring was applied and the mixture was heated to 37° C. After all solids were dissolved N,N-dimethylthiocarbamoyl chloride (178 g, 1.44 mol) was added. The resulting exothermic reaction stabilized at 101° C. after 15 min. The reaction temperature was then allowed to cool to 65° C. over 45 min. TLC vs. starting material (3× elution with 25% ethyl acetate in hexanes) showed complete conversion to a higher R_(f) product. The reaction was poured onto ice (12 L) and the suspension was adjusted to pH 4 with 5 N HCl. The precipitate was filtered, washed with water (3×1.5 L), and dried under a stream of air for 1 h. Crystallization from EtOH (1.25 L) provided 976 g of 4′-O-(N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate)acetophenone as off-white crystals. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.63 (s, 3H), 3.38 (s, 3H), 3.48 (s, 3H), 7.19 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H), 8.03 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H).

Synthesis of A:

A 2 L 3-neck flask equipped with N₂ atmosphere, overhead stirring, and a heating mantle was charged with 4′-O-(N,N-dimethylthiocarbamate)acetophenone (975 g, 4.3 mol). Using predetermined heating settings, the heating mantle temperature was set to obtain within 1 h a 192° C. melt (internal temperature) under inert atmosphere. After 12 min the temperature had cooled to 217° C. TLC (elution with CH₂Cl₂) revealed complete conversion of starting material to a lower R_(f) product (˜0.3). The reaction was then allowed to cool to approximately 200° C. The molten contents were poured out onto aluminum foil and allowed to solidify under a stream of nitrogen to provide 965 g of A as a yellow crystalline solid. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 2.63 (s, 3H), 3.10 (“bd”, 6H), 7.62 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H), 7.97 (d, J=9 Hz 2H).

Synthesis of B:

A 2 L 3-N flask under dry N₂ atmosphere equipped with overhead stirring was charged with A (100 g, 450 mmol) and THF (750 mL). The suspension was stirred until the solids were dissolved (approximately 20 min). To this solution was then added TMSCF₃ (99 mL, 670 mmol). The solution was then cooled to an internal temperature of −5° C. In one portion was added solid TBAF (0.88 g, 3.4 mmol). The temperature was adjusted to 3° C. at which point an exotherm initiated at 0.2° C./sec. The internal temperature was controlled at 6° C. with the application of a salt-ice bath for a period of 15 min. The ice bath was removed and over 20 min the internal temperature continued to rise to 15° C. TLC (1% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) confirmed consumption of starting material. To the red-orange solution was added 5 M HCl (750 mL) resulting in an increase in temperature to around 40° C. The solution was stirred for 30 min. The organics were separated and the aqueous extracted with ethyl acetate (4×300 mL). The combined organics were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate (300 mL) and brine (300 mL), dried with MgSO₄, and concentrated under reduced pressure to provide 130 g of B as a yellow solid containing 5% impurity (starting material). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 4.76 (s, 3H), 2.63 (s, 1H), 3.08 (“bd”, 6H), 7.54 (asymmetric doublet, J=9 Hz, 2H), 7.61 (asymmetric doublet, J=8 Hz, 2H).

Synthesis of C:

To a suspension of B (707 g, 2.4 mol) in CH₃CN (2.8 L) was added DMAP (440 g, 3.6 mol). After 15 min, the suspension was cooled to an internal temperature of 10° C. with an ice bath. While maintaining the internal temperature below 25° C., 4-nitrophenylchloroformate (580 g, 2.88 mol) was added over a period of 20 min. The reaction was allowed to stir at room temperature for 3 h. TLC (5% ethyl acetate in CH₂Cl₂) indicated complete conversion of the starting material to the activated nitrophenylcarbonate. The reaction was cooled to 10° C. with an ice bath. While maintaining an internal temperature between 10 and 30° C., (S)-1-(naphthalen-1-yl)ethylamine (0.6 L, 3.74 mol) was added to the reaction over a period of 15 min. After 17 h at room temperature, the reaction contents were filtered and the precipitate washed with CH₃CN (2×500 mL, 1×250 mL). The washings and mother liquor were concentrated by rotary evaporation. The residue was dissolved in ethyl acetate (2.5 L) and extracted against 1 N HCl (2 L). The resulting precipitates were filtered and washed with ethyl acetate (0.5 L). The organic layer and washings were collected and extracted again against 1 N HCl (2 L). The organics were diluted with ethyl acetate (2 L) and extracted against 1 N NaOH (2 L). The resulting precipitate was removed by filtration. The organics were then washed with 1 N HCl (2 L), brine (1 L), and dried with MgSO₄ (250 g). The organic layer was concentrated to an oil by rotary evaporation. One third of the residue was suspended up in MTBE (1.8 L), brought to reflux, and hot-filtered through a pad of Celite. Removal of ⅓ of the MTBE and cooling to 25° C. resulted in crystallization of 86 g of the pure desired isomer as a 1:1 crystal with MTBE. Crystallization conditions were scaled for the remaining ⅔ residue to yield 257 g of the desired diastereomer as a 1:1 crystal with MTBE. Second crops provided 13.3 g of the desired isomer in less than 99% purity, while recovered product from Celite filtrations provided another 16 g of highly diastereomerically pure product as a 1:1 crystal with MTBE. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.22 (s, 9H [MTBE]), 1.71 (d, J=7 Hz, 3H), 2.21 (s, 3H), 3.10 (bs, 6H), 3.24 (s, 3H [MTBE]), 5.27 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 5.56 (t, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.36-7.58 (m, 8H), 7.84 (d, J=8 Hz, 1H), 7.90-7.92 (m, 1H), 7.96-7.98 (m, 1H).

Synthesis of E

A 2 L flask equipped with dry N₂ atmosphere was charged with 60 g C (122.3 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 60 g LiOH (1.22 mole, 10 equiv), 520 mL 1,4-dioxane and 230 mL H₂O. The reaction mixture was then placed into a preheated 98° C. bath and allowed to stir for 12 h. The resulting suspension was then cooled and adjusted to pH 1 with 3 N HCl. The solution was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, the organics were washed with brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 27.2 g of the product as a light yellow solid. The product as obtained was used directly in the next step without further purification.

Synthesis of F

A 1 L flask was charged with the product E obtained above (27.2 g 122.3 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 23.13 g 3-chloro-4-fluorobenzonitrile (122.3 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 49.8 g cesium carbonate (152.9 mmol, 1.25 equiv) and 200 mL DMF. The flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, and then placed into a preheated 110° C. bath with stirring for 1 h under a dry N₂ atmosphere. The resulting suspension was then cooled, diluted with H₂O and extracted with 50% EtOAc/Et₂O. The organics were washed with brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20% EtOAc/Hexane) provided 33 g of the product as a white solid (90.4 mmol). ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.86 (s, 3H), 2.82 (s, 1H), 6.80 (J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (dd, J 8.5, 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.59 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.64 (s, 1H), 7.73 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H).

Synthesis of jj

To a solution of F (32.4 g, 90.8 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 900 mL CH₂Cl₂ was added 60.8 g 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA, 272.3 mmol, 3.0 equiv) at 0° C. After stirring for 12 h at room temperature, the suspension was diluted with saturated NaHCO₃ and the resulting solution was stirred for 2 h. The organics were separated and the aqueous extracted with CH₂Cl₂. The combined organics were washed with 1N NaOH and brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, column 1: 20% EtOAc/Hexane; column 2: 2% EtOAc/CH₂Cl₂) gave 29 g of the product as a white solid (74.4 mmol). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.82 (s, 3H), 2.68 (s, 1H), 7.75 (s, 1H), 7.80-7.82 (m, 3H), 8.00 (d, J=10.5 Hz, 2H), 8.51 (d, J=10.5 Hz, 1H); m/z 390.0 (M+H⁺).

Example 5 Preparation of 3-chloro-4-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-benzamide

Using step fin Example 3, but substituting 3-chloro-4-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)benzenesulfonyl]-benzonitrile for 3′-Chloro-4′-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)benzenesulfonyl]-biphenyl-4-carbonitrile, 3-chloro-4-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methyl-ethyl)-benzenesulfonyl]-benzamide (mm) was prepared. ¹H NMR (DMSO, 400 MHz) δ 8.40 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 8.27 (s, 1H), 8.12 (dd, J=8.5, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 8.05 (s, 1H), 8.00 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.88 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 6.92 (s, 1H), 1.72 (s, 3H).

Example 6 Preparation of (R) and (S)-3-Cyclopropyl-4-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)benzenesulfonyl]-benzonitrile

a) A mixture of benzenethiol (5.11 mL, 50 mmol), 3-bromo-4-fluoro-benzonitrile (10.0 g, 50 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (21.18 g, 65 mmol) in DMF (120 mL) was heated to 100° C. overnight. After the slurry was cooled to rt, the mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, concentrated by rotary evaporation and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with a gradient elution of 20-30% EtOAc/hexanes to yield the desired sulfide as a white solid (12.31 g).

b) To a flask containing AlBr₃ (20 g, 75 mmol) and CS₂ (130 mL) at 0° C. was added a premixed solution of the sulfide prepared in step a (7.25 g, 25 mmol) and AcCl (4.12 mL, 58 mmol) in CS₂ (20 mL) dropwise. Upon completion of the addition, the solution was warmed to rt and allowed to stir for 3 h. The solution was then poured into 5% HCl/H₂O and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄ and filtered through a plug of anhydrous Na₂SO₄/silica gel to yield the acylated sulfide as a white solid (8.03 g).

c) To a flask containing the sulfide prepared in step b (4.33 g, 13 mmol) in HOAc (70 mL) and water (7 mL) was added KMnO₄ (2.47 g, 15.6 mmol) in one portion. After stirring for 30 min at rt, the mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with water, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, concentrated by rotary evaporation and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with a gradient elution of 5-10% EtOAc/DCM to afford the sulfone as a white solid (3.89 g).

d) A mixture of the sulfone prepared in step c (3.81 g, 10.5 mmol), cyclopropylboronic acid (1.35 g, 15.73 mmol) (prepared according to the literature procedure, Wallace, D. J.; Chen, C. Tetrahedron Lett. 2002, 43, 6987-6990), Pd(PPh₃)₄ (0.400 g, 0.34 mmol) and K₃PO₄ (5.73 g, 27 mmol) in toluene (100 mL) and water (5 mL) in a sealed vessel was heated to 100° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere for 12 h. After the solution was cooled to rt, the mixture was poured into water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, concentrated by rotary evaporation and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with a gradient elution of 45-55% EtOAc/hexanes to yield product cyclopropylphenylsulfone as a white solid (3.0 g).

e) To a flask containing the cyclopropylphenylsulfone prepared in step d (3.0 g, 9.2 mmol) and TMSCF₃ (2.73 mL, 18.44 mmol) in THF (60 mL) at 0° C. was added TBAF (9.2 mL, 9.2 mmol, 1 M/THF) dropwise. After the addition was complete, the mixture was warmed to rt and stirred for 4 h. The mixture was then poured into sat. NaHCO₃ and extracted with EtOAc. The organic layer was separated, washed with brine, dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄, concentrated by rotary evaporation and purified by flash chromatography on silica gel with a gradient elution of 3-8% EtOAc/DCM to yield the racemic product as a white solid (2.3 g).

f) The optically pure compounds kk and ll were obtained by passing the racemic mixture prepared in step e through a Chiralcel OD column (21 mm i.d.×50 mm) with a isocratic elution of 13% iPrOH/hexanes. Complete resolution was achieved at up to 140 mg racemate per injection. ¹H NMR δ (DMSO, 500 MHz) 8.29 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (m, 3H), 7.85 (m, 2H), 7.56 (d, J=1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (s, 1H), 2.47 (m, 1H, overlap with DMSO), 1.71 (s, 3H), 0.79 (m, 2H), 0.69 (m, 2H). MS (ES) 396 [M+H].

Example 7 Cyclopropylboronic Acid

A 100 mL flask was charged with 2.9 mL trimethylborate (26 mmol, 1.3 equiv.) and 10 mL THF. The solution was cooled to −78° C. 40 mL cyclopropylmagnesium bromide (0.5 M in THF, 20 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was then added dropwise, which led to formation of a white precipitate. After stirring for 1 h, the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for a further 6 h. Aqueous HCl (40 mL, 2.0N) was added. After stirring for 1 h, the mixture was extracted with 30 mL CH₂Cl₂. The CH₂Cl₂ layer was back extracted with water (3×30 mL). All the aqueous fractions combined and extracted with MeO^(t)Bu ether (5×50 mL). The organics were dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 700 mg of the product as white solid (8.2 mmol). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz) δ 7.35 (s, 2H), 0.42 (m, 2H), 0.31 (m, 2H), −0.39 (m, 1H).

Example 8 1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-[4-(quinoline-4-sulfonyl)phenyl]-propan-2-ol

a) A 50 mL flask was charged with 328 mg 4-chloroquinoline (2.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), 814 mg cesium carbonate (2.5 mmol, 1.25 equiv.), and 4 mL DMF. 304 mg 4′-thioacetophenone (2.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was then added. The resulting suspension was then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted (water) and extracted (3× Et₂O). The organics were dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, CH₂Cl₂) gave 498 mg of the product as a yellowish solid (1.75 mmol).

b) A 50 mL flask was charged with the product obtained above in step a (498 mg, 1.75 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) and 10 mL CH₂Cl₂, followed by the addition of 1.17 g mCPBA (77%, 5.26 mmol, 3.0 equiv.). The resulting solution was allowed to stir for 3 h and then was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ and extracted (4×CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 50% EtOAc/Hexanes, 60% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 50 mg of the product as white solid (0.16 mmol).

c) A 25 mL flask containing the product obtained above in step b (50 mg, 0.16 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was charged with 0.7 mL TMS-CF₃ (0.5M in THF, 0.32 mmol, 2.0 equiv.). The solution was allowed to stir for 1 h followed by addition of 0.7 mL tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1.0 M in THF, 0.64 mmol, 4.0 equiv.). After stirring for 1 h, the solution was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃, extracted (3×10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 40% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 12 mg of the product as a white solid (0.03 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 9.13 (d, J=3.6 Hz, 1H), 8.67 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1H), 8.2 (m, 2H), 8.03 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 2H), 7.79 (m, 3H), 7.69 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H), 2.9 (s, 1H), 1.74 (s, 3H).

Example 9 2-[4-(2-Chloro-4-pyrrolidin-1-yl-benzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol

50 mg 2-[4-(2-Chloro-4-fluoro-benzenesulfonyl)-phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoro-propan-2-ol (0.13 mmol, prepared as in the previous examples) was combined in a pressure tube with 50 mg pyrrolidine. The resulting mixture was then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the mixture was diluted with 10 mL CH₂Cl₂ and sat. NaHCO₃, then extracted (3×10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 25% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 35 mg of the product as a white solid (0.08 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 8.09 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.92 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 2H), 7.70 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 2H), 6.49 (m, 2H), 3.32 (s, 4H), 2.04 (s, 4H), 1.78 (m, 3H).

Example 10 2-[4-(2-Chloro-4-imidazol-1-yl-benzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol

50 mg 2-[4-(2-Chloro-4-fluoro-benzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol (0.13 mmol) was combined in a pressure tube with 50 mg imidazole. The resulting mixture was then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the mixture was diluted with CH₂Cl₂ and sat. NaHCO₃, then extracted (3×10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 3-5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) gave 60 mg of the product as a white solid (0.13 mmol, quant.). ¹H NMR (DMSO-d₆, 400 MHz) δ 8.49 (s, 1H), 8.39 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 1H), 8.1 (d, J=2.2 Hz, 1H), 8.02 (dd, J=2.2 Hz, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 7.99 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.94 (s, 1H), 7.86 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.16 (s, 1H), 6.91 (s, 1H), 1.71 (s, 3H).

Example 11 (R) and (S)-2-[4-(2-Cyclopropyl-4-fluoro-benzenesulfonyl)-phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol

This example illustrates the synthesis of both (R) and (S)-2-[4-(2-Cyclopropyl-4-fluoro-benzenesulfonyl)-phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoro-propan-2-ol:

a) A 200 mL flask was charged with 6.0 g 2-bromo-4-fluoro-1-iodo-benzene (20 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), 8.28 g potassium carbonate (60 mmol, 3.0 equiv.), 3.8 g copper(I) iodide (20 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), and 40 mL DMF. 2.64 g Benzenethiol (2.64 mmol, 1.2 equiv.) was then added. The resulting suspension was then placed into a preheated 80° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted (water) and extracted (3× Et₂O). The organics were dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, Hexanes) gave 3.7 g of the product as a colorless oil (13.1 mmol).

b) A 200 mL flask was charged with 3.7 g of the product obtained above (13.1 mmol, 1.0 equiv.), 4.37 g aluminum chloride (32.8 mmol, 2.5 equiv.), and 40 mL CH₂Cl₂ at 0° C. under a nitrogen atmosphere. 1.23 g Acetyl chloride (15.7 mmol, 1.2 equiv.) was then added. The resulting mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature. After stirring for 12 h, the mixture was diluted (iced-water) and extracted (3×CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 2.27 g of the product as a white solid (6.98 mmol).

c) A 100 mL flask was charged with the product obtained above (2.26 g, 6.95 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and 20 mL CH₂Cl₂. 4.66 g mCPBA (77%, 20.84 mmol, 3.0 equiv) was then added. The resulting solution was allowed to stir for 6 h and then was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ and extracted (4×CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 2.25 g of the product as white solid (6.32 mmol).

d) To a 25 mL flask containing a portion of the product obtained above (1.0 g, 2.81 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was added 11.2 mL TMS-CF₃ (0.5M in THF, 5.62 mmol, 2.0 equiv). The solution was allowed to stir for 1 h followed by addition of 11.2 mL tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1.0 M in THF, 11.2 mmol, 4.0 equiv). After stirring for 1 h, the solution was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ and extracted (3×10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 90% CH₂Cl₂/Hexanes, CH₂Cl₂) gave 780 mg of the product as a white solid (1.83 mmol).

e) A 50 mL flask was charged with 780 mg product obtained above (1.83 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 314 mg boronic acid (3.65 mmol, 2.0 equiv), 1.16 g potassium phosphate (5.49 mmol, 3.0 equiv), 10 mL toluene and 0.5 mL water under a nitrogen atmosphere. 211 mg Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.18 mmol, 0.1 equiv) was added to the flask. The mixture was then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 3 h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted (water) and extracted (3×CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 25% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 450 mg of the product as a white solid (1.16 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 7.90 (dd, J=5.8 Hz, 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.72 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.02 (m, 1H), 6.60 (dd, J=2.5 Hz, 10.2 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 1H), 2.48 (m, 1H), 1.75 (s, 3H), 0.76 (m, 2H), 0.52 (m, 2H). The racemic mixture was resolved via chiral HPLC. The flow rate was 20 mL/min on a Chiralcel OD-H 20 mm i.d.×250 mm, 5μ column (Daciel Chemical Industries LTD), using Isopropyl alcohol/hexanes (10/90) as the eluent.

Example 12 2,2-Dimethyl-3-{4-[4-(2,2,2-trifluoro-1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl)benzenesulfonyl]-phenyl}-propionic acid ethyl ester

a) A 50 mL flask was charged with 1.0 g 3-(4-mercaptophenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropionic acid ethyl ester (4.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 1.71 g cesium carbonate (5.25 mmol, 1.25 equiv), and 5 mL DMF. 579 mg 1-(4-Fluorophenyl)ethanone (4.2 mmol, 1.0 equiv.) was then added. The resulting suspension was then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 12 h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted (water) and extracted (3× Et₂O). The organics were dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 890 mg of the product as a yellowish solid (2.5 mmol).

b) A 50 mL flask was charged with the product obtained above (800 mg, 2.28 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and 15 mL CH₂Cl₂. 1.53 g mCPBA (77%, 6.84 mmol, 3.0 equiv) was added in a flask. The resulting solution was allowed to stir for 6 h and then was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃ and extracted (4×CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 30% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 800 mg of the product as colorless oil (2.06 mmol).

c) To a 25 mL flask containing a portion of product obtained above (400 mg, 1.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) was added 4.0 mL TMS-CF₃ (0.5 M in THF, 2.0 mmol, 2.0 equiv). The solution was allowed to stir for 1 h followed by addition of 4.0 mL tetrabutylammonium fluoride (1.0 M in THF, 4.0 mmol, 4.0 equiv). After stirring for 1 h, the solution was diluted with sat. NaHCO₃, extracted (3×10% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 30% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 360 mg of the product as a white solid (0.78 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 7.90 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.82 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.73 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.25 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 4.06 (q, J=7.1 Hz, 2H), 2.88 (s, 2H), 1.73 (s, 3H), 1.15 (m, 9H).

Example 13 (R) and (S)-2-[4-(2-Cyclopropylbenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoro-propan-2-ol

Using the methods described above in Example 12, but substituting 2-Bromo-benzenethiol for 3-(4-mercaptophenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropionic acid ethyl ester in step a, 2-[4-(2-bromobenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol was prepared.

2-[4-(2-Cyclopropylbenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol: To a 100 mL flask was added 1.20 g of the product obtained above (2.90 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 504 mg boronic acid (5.86 mmol, 2.0 equiv), 1.84 g potassium phosphate (8.70 mmol, 3.0 equiv), 50 mL toluene and 2.5 mL water under a nitrogen atmosphere. 336 mg Tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (0.29 mmol, 0.1 equiv) was added to the flask. The mixture was then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 3 h, the mixture was cooled to room temperature, diluted (water) and extracted (3×CH₂Cl₂). The organics were dried (MgSO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 25% EtOAc/Hexanes) gave 900 mg of the product as a white solid (2.43 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 8.27 (dd, J=1.3 Hz, 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.87 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.73 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (m, 1H), 7.40 (m, 1H), 6.97 (d, J=7.7 Hz 1H), 2.54 (m, 2H), 1.87 (s, 3H), 0.76 (m, 2H), 0.52 (m, 2H). The racemic product was resolved by chiral HPLC. The flow rate was 20 mL/min on a Chiralcel OD-H 20 mm i.d.×250 mm, 5μ column (Daciel Chemical Industries LTD), using isopropyl alcohol/hexanes (10/90) as the eluent.

Example 14 (R) and (S)-2-[4-(2-Chloro-benzenesulfonyl)-phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoro-propan-2-ol

Using the methods described above in Example 12, but substituting 2-chlorobenzenethiol for 3-(4-mercaptophenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropionic acid ethyl ester in step a, 2-[4-(2-chlorobenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol was prepared. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 8.27 (dd, J=2.0 Hz, 7.6 Hz, 1H), 7.98 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.57-7.44 (m, 3H), 2.61 (s, 1H), 1.80 (s, 3H). The racemic product was resolved by chiral HPLC. The flow rate was 20 mL/min on a Chiralcel OD-H 20 mm i.d.×250 mm, 5μ column (Daciel chemical Industries LTD), using isopropyl alcohol/hexanes (10/90) as the eluent.

Example 15 (R) and (S)-2-[4-(2-Ethyl-benzenesulfonyl)-phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoro-propan-2-ol

Using the methods described above in Example 12, but substituting 2-ethylbenzenethiol for 3-(4-mercaptophenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropionic acid ethyl ester in step a, 2-[4-(2-ethylbenzenesulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol was prepared. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 8.19 (dd, J=1.3 Hz, 8.0 Hz, 1H), 7.84 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.73 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.56 (m, 1H), 7.40 (m, 1H), 7.32 (d, J=7.6 Hz 1H), 3.03 (s, 1H), 2.58 (q, J=7.4 Hz, 2H), 1.77 (s, 3H), 1.03 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 3H). The racemic product was resolved by chiral HPLC. The flow rate was 20 mL/min on a Chiralcel OD-H 20 mm i.d.×250 mm, 5μ column (Daciel Chemical Industries LTD), using isopropyl alcohol/hexanes (7/93) as the eluent.

Example 16 Preparation of 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl]phenyl}propan-2-ol

a) A solution of 3-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-one (3.74 g, 39.3 mmol, 1.15 equiv) in EtOH (70 mL) was treated with thiourea (5.00 g, 34.3 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and refluxed for 9 h. After removing the solvent under reduced pressure, the reaction mixture was dissolved in H₂O and then adjusted to pH 10 by slowly adding 5% aqueous sodium hydroxide. The resulting solution was extracted (Et₂O), washed (brine), dried (Na₂SO₄), and concentrated under reduced pressure. Hexane was added to the residue to recrystallize the product, which was then filtered to obtain 3.2 g of the pure product as a yellow solid (19.0 mmol).

b) A solution of 4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazol-2-amine prepared above in step a (3.01 g, 17.9 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and acetic acid (2.1 mL) in CH₃CN (21 mL) was treated with N-bromosuccinimide (3.50 g, 19.7 mmol, 1.1 equiv) at 0° C. After being stirred at 0° C. for 1 h and at 25° C. for 1 h, the reaction mixture was diluted (CH₂Cl₂), washed (saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20-30% EtOAc/Hexane, gradient elution) gave 4.05 g of the product as a brown solid (16.3 mmol).

c) A solution of 5-bromo-4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazol-2-amine prepared above in step b (3.53 g, 15.9 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-(4-mercaptophenyl)propan-2-ol (3.93 g, 15.9 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in DMF (30 mL) was treated at 0° C. with CuI (3.03 g, 15.9 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and K₂CO₃ (6.06 g, 47.7 mmol, 3.0 equiv) successively. After being stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 h and at 25° C. for 5 h, the reaction mixture was diluted (EtOAc), washed (3× brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20-40% EtOAc/Hexane, gradient elution) gave 1.87 g of the product as a yellow solid (4.83 mmol).

d) A solution of 2-{4-[2-amino-4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazol-5-ylthio]phenyl}-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol prepared above in step c (1.43 g, 3.68 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and CuBr₂ (1.65 g, 7.39 mmol, 2.0 equiv) in CH₃CN (90 mL) was treated at 0° C. with isoamyl nitrite (0.99 mL, 7.36 mmol, 2.0 equiv). After being stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 h and at 25° C. for 2 h, the reaction mixture was diluted (EtOAc), washed (H₂O and brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 1.25 g of the product as a yellow solid (2.77 mmol).

e) A solution of 2-{4-[2-bromo-4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazol-5-ylthio]phenyl}-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol prepared above in step d (1.16 g, 2.57 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (70 mL) was treated at 0° C. with 3-chloroperbenzoic aid (≦77%, 1.08 g, 30.8 mmol, 12 equiv). After being stirred at 25° C. for 4 days, the reaction mixture was diluted (EtOAc), washed (1 N aqueous Na₂S₂O₃, 1 M aqueous sodium hydroxide, and brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 30% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 1.12 g of the product as a white solid (2.31 mmol).

f) 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl]phenyl}propan-2-ol (a). A solution of 2-{4-[2-bromo-4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl]phenyl}-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol prepared above in step e (28.8 mg, 0.059 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in CH₂Cl₂ (70 mL) was treated at 25° C. with pyrrolidine (20 μL, 0.24 mmol, 4.0 equiv). After being stirred at 25° C. for 1 h, the reaction mixture was diluted (EtOAc), washed (saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 1-3% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂, gradient elution) gave 27.7 mg of the product as a white solid (0.058 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 7.98 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.75 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 2.48 (s, 1H), 2.12-2.04 (m, 4H), 1.79 (s, 3H), 1.60-1.55 (m, 2H), 1.27-1.24 (m, 2H); MS (ESI) 475 [M+H]⁺.

Example 17 Preparation of 4-cyclopropyl-5-(4-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenylsulfonyl)thiazole-2-carbonitrile

a) 2-Bromo-1-cyclopropylethanone: To a solution of cyclopropyl methyl ketone (16.2 g, 200.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and 100 mL MeOH was added 10 mL bromine (200.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) at 0° C. After stirring for 30 min, the suspension was diluted with H₂O and extracted with Et₂O. The organics were washed with 10% Na₂CO₃, brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure to give 31.3 g of the product as a brown liquid (200.0 mmol).

b) 4-Cyclopropylthiazol-2-amine: A 500 mL flask was charged 2-bromo-1-cyclopropylethanone (32.0 g, 196.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 15 g thiourea (196.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and 100 mL ethanol. The flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, and then placed into a preheated 110° C. bath with stirring for 12 h under dry N₂ atmosphere. The reaction solution was cooled and concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was then dissolved in H₂O, neutralized with sat. NaHCO₃ and extracted with Et₂O. The organics were washed with brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the crude product by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 5% MeOH/CH₂Cl₂) provided 10.7 g of the desired product (76.1 mmol).

c) 5-Bromo-4-cyclopropylthiazol-2-amine: To a solution of 4-cyclopropylthiazol-2-amine (5 g, 35.7 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 6.1 mL AcOH (106.8 mmol, 3 equiv) and 100 mL acetonitrile was added 6.35 g N-bromosuccinimide (35.7 mmol, 1.0 equiv) at 0° C. After stirring for 1 h, the suspension was diluted with saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with EtOAc. The organics were washed with brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 20% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 4.12 g of the product as a brown solid (18.8 mmol).

d) 2-(4-(2-Amino-4-cyclopropylthiazol-5-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol: A 100 mL flask was charged with 2.63 g 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-(4-mercaptophenyl)propan-2-ol (11.8 mmol, 1.3 equiv), 2 g 5-bromo-4-cyclopropylthiazol-2-amine (9.1 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 0.79 g NaOH (18.5 mmol, 2.0 equiv), 15 mL EtOH and 30 mL H₂O under a dry N₂ atmosphere. The flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, and then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 2 h, the solution was cooled and extracted (CH₂Cl₂), washed (brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 50% EtOAc/hexane provided 1.73 g of the product as a white solid (4.8 mmol).

e) 4-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenylthio)thiazole-2-carbonitrile: To a solution of 2-(4-(2-amino-4-cyclopropylthiazol-5-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol (220 mg, 0.61 mmol, 2.0 equiv), 110 mg CuCN (1.2 mmol, 2.0 equiv) and 20 mL acetonitrile was added 0.16 mL isoamylnitrite (1.2 mmol, 2.0 equiv) at room temperature. After stirring for 1 h at 90° C., the suspension was diluted with H₂O and extracted with Et₂O. The organics were washed with brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂ 20% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 198 mg of the product as a brown solid (0.54 mmol).

f) 4-Cyclopropyl-5-(4-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenylsulfonyl)thiazole-2-carbonitrile: 4-cyclopropyl-5-(4-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenylthio)thiazole-2-carbonitrile (188 mg, 0.53 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 10 mL CH₂Cl₂ was combined in a flask with 370 mg 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (1.64 mmol, 3.0 equiv). After stirring for 12 h at room temperature, the suspension was diluted with saturated NaHCO₃, extracted (CH₂Cl₂), washed (brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 90% CH₂Cl₂/hexane) gave 17 mg of the product as a white solid (0.042 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 8.04 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.85 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 2.80 (m, 1H), 2.60 (s, 1H), 1.80 (s, 3H), 1.16 (m, 4H); MS (ESI) 403.0 [M+H]⁺.

Example 18 Preparation of 2-(4-(4-cyclopropyl-2-(pyridin-4-yl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol

Using the methods described above in example jjj, but substituting pyridine-4-carbothioamide for thiourea in step b, the following compound was prepared: 2-(4-(4-cyclopropyl-2-(pyridin-4-yl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol: ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 8.68 (d, J=6.03 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (d, J=6.03 Hz, 2H), 8.52 (d, J=8.45 Hz, 2H), 7.24 (d, J=8.45 Hz, 2H), 3.10 (s, 1H), 2.40 (m, 1H), 1.78 (s, 3H), 1.18 (m, 2H), 1.08 (m, 2H); MS (ESI) 423.0 [M+H]⁺.

Example 19 Preparation of 2-(4-(4-chloro-2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol

a) 2-(4-(2-Aminothiazol-5-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol: A 100 mL flask was charged with 888 mg 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-(4-mercaptophenyl)propan-2-ol (4.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 1.04 g 5-bromothiazol-2-amine hydrobromide (4.0 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 0.32 g NaOH (8.0 mmol, 2.0 equiv), 5 mL EtOH and 10 ml H₂O under dry N₂ atmosphere. The flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, and then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 2 h, the solution was cooled and extracted (CH₂Cl₂), washed (brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 50% EtOAc/hexane provided 0.9 g of the product as a yellow solid (2.81 mmol).

b) 2-(4-(2-Chlorothiazol-5-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol: To a solution of 2-(4-(2-aminothiazol-5-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol (900 mg, 2.81 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 756.9 mg CuCl₂ (5.63 mmol, 2 equiv) and 50 mL acetonitrile was added 0.76 mL isoamylnitrite (5.63 mmol, 2.0 equiv) at room temperature. After stirring for 2 h, the suspension was diluted with H₂O and extracted with Et₂O. The organics were washed with brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 10% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 454 mg of the product as a brown solid (1.34 mmol).

c) 2-(4-(2,4-Dichlorothiazol-5-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol: To a solution of 2-(4-(2-chlorothiazol-5-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol (454 mg, 1.34 mmol, 1.0 equiv) and 10 mL DMF was added 178.9 mg N-chlorosuccinimide (1.34 mmol, 1.0 equiv) at room temperature. After stirring for 1 h at 110° C., the suspension was diluted with saturated NaHCO₃ and extracted with Et₂O. The organics were washed with brine, dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 15% EtOAc/Hexane) gave 250 mg of the product as a white solid (0.67 mmol).

d) 2-(4-(2,4-Dichlorothiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol: 2-(4-(2,4-dichlorothiazol-5-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol (250 mg, 0.67 mmol, 1.0 equiv) in 10 mL CH₂Cl₂ was combined in a flask with 449 mg 3-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (2.0 mmol, 3.0 equiv). After stirring for 12 h at room temperature, the suspension was diluted with saturated NaHCO₃, extracted (CH₂Cl₂), washed (1 N NaOH), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 30% EtOAc/hexane) gave 220 mg of the product as a white solid (0.54 mmol).

e) 2-(4-(4-Chloro-2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol: A 100 mL flask was charged with 20 mg 2-(4-(2,4-dichlorothiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol (0.05 mmol, 1.0 equiv), 6.8 mg 1H-pyrazole (0.1 mmol, 2.0 equiv), 20.7 mg potassium carbonate (0.15 mmol, 3.0 equiv) and 2 mL acetonitrile. The flask was equipped with a reflux condenser, and then placed into a preheated 100° C. bath. After stirring for 2 h, the solution was diluted with H₂O, extracted (Et₂O), washed (brine), dried (Na₂SO₄) and concentrated under reduced pressure. Purification of the residue by flash chromatography (SiO₂, 30% EtOAc/hexane) provided 15 mg of the product as a white solid (0.034 mmol). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃, 400 MHz) δ 8.26 (d, J=2.68 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (d, J=8.34 Hz, 2H), 7.84 (d, J=8.34 Hz, 2H), 7.78 (d, J=2.68 Hz, 1H), 6.53 (dd, J=2.68, 2.40 Hz, 1H), 2.60 (s, 1H), 1.83 (s, 3H); MS (ESI) 438.0 [M+H]⁺.

Example 20 Preparation of (S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{4-[2-cyano-4-cyclopropylthiophen-5-ylsulfonyl]}propan-2-ol

a) To 5-bromothiophene-2-carbonitrile (1.6 g, 8.3 mmol), (S)-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-(4-mercaptophenyl)propan-2-ol (1.8 g, 7.9 mmol) and Cs₂CO₃ (3.1 g, 9.5 mmol) under nitrogen atmosphere was added DMF (8 mL). The reaction was warmed to 110° C. and stirred for 2.5 h. The reaction was cooled to room temperature, poured onto 1 M HCl (80 mL), and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (5×20 mL). The combined organics were dried with Na₂SO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to obtain 2.6 g of the sulfide product.

b) To a portion of the crude sulfide (1.0 g, 3.1 mmol) in CH₃CN (4 mL) was added NBS (0.71 g, 4.0 mmol). The reaction was brought to reflux for 15 minutes. The cooled reaction was poured into saturated sodium bicarbonate (20 mL) and extracted with diethyl ether (2×20 mL). The organics were washed with brine, dried with MgSO₄, and concentrated to afford 1.2 g of (S)-4-bromo-5-(4-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenylthio)thiophene-2-carbonitrile.

c) To the crude product obtained above (1.2 g, 3.1 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (7 mL) was added m-CPBA (max 77%, 2.1 g, 9.2 mmol). After stirring at room temperature overnight, the reaction was diluted ten fold with CH₂Cl₂ and extracted with 1 N NaOH (70 mL). The organics were washed with water (70 mL) and dried with Na₂SO₄. Silica gel chromatography (gradient elution 20 to 30% ethyl acetate in hexanes) afforded near quantitative yield of (S)-4-bromo-5-(4-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenylsulfonyl)thiophene-2-carbonitrile.

d) To the sulfone prepared above (0.050 g, 0.11 mmol), cyclopropylboronic acid (0.020 g, 0.223 mmol), potassium fluoride (0.040 g, 0.68 mmol), Pd₂(dba)₃, (0.0052 g, 0.0057 mmol), Pd[P(t-Bu)₃]₂ (0.0058 g, 0.011 mmol) was added THF (0.25 mL). The reaction contents were purged with nitrogen, sealed, then stirred at room temperature. After 2 h, the reaction contents were poured into water (1 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (2×1 mL). The organics were dried with Na₂SO₄, concentrated and purified by silica gel chromatography (gradient elution 20 to 40% ethyl acetate in hexanes) to afford 0.018 mg of the desired product. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ0.65-0.69 (m, 2H), 1.10-1.15 (m, 2H), 1.83 (s, 3H), 2.52-2.59 (m, 2H), 7.01 (s 1H), 7.82 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H), 8.03 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H).

Example 21 Preparation of 2-(4-(5-chloro-2-(2-methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)thiazol-4-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol

a) To 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-(4-mercaptophenyl)propan-2-ol (5.7 g, 25 mmol) was added NaOH (1.7 g, 42 mmol), a solution of 4-chlorothiazol-2-amine (2.5 g, 18 mmol) in EtOH (18 mL), and water (36 mL). The mixture was brought to reflux and stirred for 2 h. The solution was poured onto water (100 mL) and extracted with Et₂O (3×50 mL). The combined organics were washed with brine (100 mL) and dried over MgSO₄ and concentrated in vacuo to provide 3.65 g of 2-(4-(2-aminothiazol-4-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol.

b) To the sulfide prepared above was added CH₂Cl₂ (18 mL), TFA (18 mL), and m-CPBA (max 77%, 7.7 g, 34 mmol). The reaction was stirred at room temperature for 3 h. Solvents were removed by rotary evaporation. The crude material was partitioned between 5% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂ (200 mL) and saturated sodium bicarbonate (200 mL). The organics were concentrated in vacuo and purified by silica gel column chromatography (gradient elution 2.5% to 4% MeOH in CH₂Cl₂) to obtain 1.4 g of the sulfone product.

c) The sulfone prepared in step b was dissolved in DMF (13 mL) and NCS (0.56 g, 4.2 mmol) was added. The reaction was heated at 100° C. for 30 min. The cooled reaction contents were poured into saturated sodium bicarbonate (200 mL) and extracted with CH₂Cl₂ (3×20 mL). The combined organics were dried with Na₂SO₄ and purified by silica gel column chromatography (gradient elution 20 to 30% ethyl acetate in hexanes) to afford 0.58 g of 2-(4-(2-amino-5-chlorothiazol-4-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol.

d) The product obtained above was suspended in CH₃CN (3.8 mL) and added portionwise to a 60° C. suspension of t-BuONO and CuCl₂ in CH₃CN (5.0 mL). After 15 minutes of stirring, 15% HCl (2.7 mL) was added followed by extraction with CHCl₃ (2×5 mL). The combined organics were washed with water (5 mL), dried with Na₂SO₄, and concentrated in vacuo. Purification by silica gel chromatography (gradient elution 15 to 25% ethyl acetate in hexanes) afforded 0.32 g of 2-(4-(2,5-dichlorothiazol-4-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol.

e) To 2-(4-(2,5-dichlorothiazol-4-ylthio)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol (0.040 g, 0.098 mmol) in DMF (0.20 mL) was added 2-methylpyrrolidine (0.022 mL, 0.22 mmol). The reaction was stirred for 2 h then poured into water (2 mL). The precipitate was filtered and purified by silica gel chromatography (elution with 30% ethyl acetate in hexanes) to provide 0.033 g of 2-(4-(5-chloro-2-(2-methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)thiazol-4-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol. ¹H NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 1.19 (d, J=6 Hz, 3H), 1.65-1.75 (m, 1H), 1.83 (s, 3H), 1.90-2.25 (m, 3H), 3.26-3.33 (m 1H), 3.40-3.45 (m, 1H), 3.90-3.96 (m, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H), 8.11 (d, J=8 Hz, 2H).

Example 22 Procedures Useful for the Biological Evaluation of the Aryl Sulfone Compounds

In addition to the extensive literature disclosing the role of HSDs in various diseases and disorders, described herein are assays useful for testing the Aryl Sulfone Compounds of the present invention.

Assays

In Vitro 11β-HSD1 (Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase 1) Activity Inhibitory Action

The 11β-HSD1 inhibitory activity was examined by quantitative determination by an SPA (scintillation proximity assay) system of the suppressive action on the conversion from cortisone to cortisol using human 11β-HSD1 (hereinafter recombinant 11β-HSD1) expressed using a baculo-virus system as an enzyme source. For the reaction, a reagent was added to a 96 well plate (96 well Opti-plates™-96 (Packard)) to the following final concentration and a volume of 100 μl was reacted at room temperature for 90 min. The reaction solution used was 0.1 μg/ml recombinant 11β-HSD1, 500 μM NADPH, 16 nM ³H cortisone (Amersham Biosciences, 1.78 Tbq/mol) dissolved in 0.1% BSA (Sigma)-containing PBS and the test drug was 2 μl of a compound solution (dissolved in DMSO). After 90 min, the reaction was stopped by adding PBS (40 μl, containing 0.1% BSA (Sigma)) containing 0.08 μg of anti-cortisol mouse monoclonal antibody (East Coast Biologics), 365 μg SPA PVT mouse antibody-binding beads (Amersham Biosciences) and 175 μM carbenoxolone (Sigma) to the reaction solution. After the completion of the reaction, the plate was incubated overnight at room temperature and the radioactivity was measured by Topcount (Packard). For control, the value (0% inhibition) of the well containing 2 μl of DMSO instead of the test drug was used, and for positive control, the value (100% inhibition) of the well containing carbenoxolone instead of the test drug at the final concentration of 50 μM was used. The inhibition (%) of the test drug was calculated by ((value of control−value of test drug)/(value of control−value of positive control))×100(%). The IC₅₀ value was analyzed using a computer-based curve fitting soft.

This example provides assays that are useful in evaluating and selecting a compound that modulates 11β-HSD1.

Biochemical 11β-HSD1 Assay by SPA

Recombinant human, mouse and rat 11-HSD1 were expressed in baculovirus expression system, isolated by affinity purification and used as the enzyme sources for cortisone to cortisol conversion in vitro. ³H-Cortisone (Amersham Bioscience, 1.78 Tbq/mol. 49 Ci/mmol) was used as the substrate, and a monoclonal anti-cortisol antibody and the scintillation proximity assay (SPA) system were used to detect the product of the 11β-HSD1-catalyzed reaction, ³H-cortisol. Reactions took place at room temperature for 90 min. in 96-well Opti-plates™-96 (Packard) in 100 μL volume with 2 μL test compounds or control in DMSO, 0.1 μg/mL 11β-HSD1 protein, 500 μM NADPH and 16 nM radioactive cortisone, in PBS buffer supplemented with 0.1% BSA (Sigma). Reaction was stopped with the addition of 40 μL buffer containing 0.08 μg anti-cortisol monoclonal antibody (East Coast Biologics), 365 μg SPA PVT antibody-binding beads (Amersham Biosciences) and 175 μM carbenoxolone (Sigma).

Plates were incubated at room temperature overnight before being read on a Topcount (Packard). The point of 50% inhibition of 11β-HSD1 enzyme activity (IC₅₀) was determined by computer-based curve fitting.

Cell-Based 11β-HSD1 Assay by SPA

This cell-based assay measures the conversion of ³H-cortisone to ³H-cortisol in a HEK-293 cell line stably overexpressing human recombinant 11β-HSD1. HEK-293 cells were grown in DMEM/F 12 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, and plated onto poly-D-lysine-coated 96-well assay plates (Costar 3903), 100,000 cells per well in 50 μL assay media (phenol free DMEM/F12 (Invitrogen)+0.2% BSA+1% antibiotic-antimycotic solutions). The solution was incubated at 37° C. for 24 h, and the reaction was initiated by the addition of 25 μL of assay media containing compounds of desired concentration and 25 μL of assay media containing 40 nM of ³H-cortisone to each well. The reaction mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 90 min. and the reaction terminated by the addition of 25 μL of assay media containing 0.2 μg of anti-cortisol monoclonal antibody (East Coast Biologics), 500 μg SPA PVT antibody-binding beads (Amersham Biosciences) and 500 μM carbenoxolone (Sigma).

Plates were incubated at room temperature for at least 2 h before being read on Topcount (Packard). The point of 50% inhibition of 11β-HSD1 enzyme activity (IC₅₀) was determined by computer-based curve fitting.

The compounds of the present invention all show 11β-HSD1 enzyme activity (IC₅₀) in the assays ranging from ≦1000 nM to <1 nM. 

1. A compound having the formula:

and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, or stereoisomers, or prodrugs thereof, wherein: A is a thiazole ring; R¹¹ is a member selected from the group consisting of —OH, halogen, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy and (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl; R¹² and R¹³ are members independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)alkoxy, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl and (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, wherein no more than two of R¹¹, R¹² and R¹³ are halogen; R¹⁴ is H or halogen; the subscript n is an integer of from 0 to 4; each R¹⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂, —NR′C(O)R′, —X—C(O)R′, —X—C(O)OR′, —X—NR′C(O)OR″, —X—OR″, —X—OC(O)R′, —X—C(O)N(R′)₂, —X—S(O)R″, —X—SO₂R″, —X—SO₂N(R′)₂, —X—N(R′)₂ and —X—NR′C(O)R′; and optionally two of R¹⁵ when attached to adjacent carbon atoms are combined to form a fused 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring optionally having from one to three heteroatoms as ring members, and any fused ring portion, cycloalkyl portion, heterocycloalkyl portion, aryl or heteroaryl portion is optionally substituted with from one to four members selected from the group consisting of H, halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C_(g))alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR′, —SR′, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —S(O)R″, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′; wherein X is a branched or straight chain (C₁-C₈)alkylene group; each occurrence of R′ is independently H or an unsubstituted member selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C_(g))alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, or two R′ groups, when attached to the same nitrogen atom, can be combined with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form a heterocycle or heteroaryl group; and each occurrence of R″ is independently an unsubstituted member selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C_(g))alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₄)alkoxy(C₁-C₄)alkyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, heteroaryl, aryl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocyclyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl or aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl.
 2. A compound of claim 1, wherein R¹¹ is —OH; and R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₄)alkyl and (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl.
 3. A compound of claim 1, wherein R¹¹ is fluoro; and R¹² and R¹³ are each independently selected from the group consisting of (C₁-C₄)alkyl and (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl.
 4. A compound of claim 1, wherein R¹¹ is —OH; R¹² is (C₁-C₄)alkyl and R¹³ is (C₁-C₄)haloalkyl.
 5. A compound of claim 3, wherein R¹¹ is —OH; R¹² is —CH₃; and R¹³ is —CF₃.
 6. A compound of claim 3, wherein n is 0 to 2 and each R¹⁵, when present, is independently selected from the group consisting of halogen, —CN, —NO₂, (C₁-C₈)alkyl, (C₂-C₈)alkenyl, (C₂-C₈)alkynyl, (C₁-C₈)haloalkyl, (C₂-C₈)hydroxyalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, (C₃-C₈)cycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heterocycloalkyl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, heteroaryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, aryl(C₁-C₆)alkyl, —C(O)R′, —C(O)OR′, —NR′C(O)OR″, —OR″, —OC(O)R′, —C(O)N(R′)₂, —SO₂R″, —SO₂N(R′)₂, —N(R′)₂ and —NR′C(O)R′.
 7. A compound selected from the group consisting of: 2-[4-(2-bromo-4-methylthiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, 2-{4-[5-ethyl-2-(piperidin-1-yl)thiazol-4-ylsulfonyl]phenyl}-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-[4-(4-methyl-2-phenylthiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]propan-2-ol, 2-{4-[5-chloro-2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)thiazol-4-ylsulfonyl]phenyl}-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, 2-(4-(5-chloro-2-(2-methylpyrrolidin-1-yl)thiazol-4-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-cyclopropyl-2-phenylthiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, 4-cyclopropyl-5-(4-(1,1,1-trifluoro-2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)phenylsulfonyl)thiazole-2-carbonitrile, 2-[4-(4-cyclopropylthiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-{4-[2-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)-4-(trifluoromethyl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl]phenyl}propan-2-ol, 2-(4-(4-chloro-2-(1H-pyrazol-1-yl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-cyclopropyl-2-isopropoxythiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, 2-[4-(4-tert-butyl-2-phenylthiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl]-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol, and 2-(4-(4-cyclopropyl-2-(pyridin-4-yl)thiazol-5-ylsulfonyl)phenyl)-1,1,1-trifluoropropan-2-ol.
 8. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 9. A pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound of claim 1, and an additional therapeutic agent.
 10. A pharmaceutical composition of claim 9, wherein the additional therapeutic agent is useful for treating a condition or disorder selected from the group consisting of diabetes and obesity.
 11. A method for treating a condition or disorder selected from the group consisting of diabetes and obesity, comprising claim
 1. 